Association of depression with glycaemic control in people living with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Depression has been found to be associated with poor diabetes control, which contributes to diabetes complications. However, the association between depression and glycaemic control remains understudied in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the greatest burden of uncontrolled diabetes and diabetes complications exists. This meta-analysis examined the association of depression with glycaemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus in LMICs.

Reporting and handling of missing data in published studies of co-morbid hypertension and diabetes among people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review.

Background: As hypertension and diabetes emerge as co-morbidities among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), the need for robust epidemiological research to inform policy and action is imperative. Proper reporting and handling of missing data are crucial in such studies to avoid loss of statistical power and precision and generate unbiased results. We aimed to assess the reporting and handling of missing data in published studies of co-morbid hypertension and diabetes among PLWH.

(rs11605924) and (rs560887) single nucleotide polymorphisms increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D). SNPs of the cryptochrome circadian regulator 2 (), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α, prospero homeobox 1 and glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit () genes are associated with T2D. To the best of our knowledge, however, the association is unclear in African patients and the burden of T2D is growing rapidly in Africa.

Comorbidities of childhood obesity at a tertiary hospital in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

Aim: To describe the distribution of childhood obesity and their related comorbidities in <12-year-old children assessed at a South African tertiary hospital from 2012 to 2022.

Methods: In this retrospective electronic chart review, data extracted comprised socio-demographic and lifestyle histories, physical examination and biochemical analyses. World Health Organisation child growth reference defined obesity as z-score ≥2 standard deviations (SD) for 5-19-year-olds, and z-score ≥3 SD for <5-year-olds.

Impact of statins as immune-modulatory agents on inflammatory markers in adults with chronic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

While numerous studies have extensively documented the pleiotropic effects of statins, including their capacity to reduce inflammation, there is a lack of research estimating the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of statins among individuals with chronic diseases. This meta-analysis evaluates the effect of statin therapy on inflammatory markers and the lipid profile in patients with chronic diseases by analysing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a systematic review and searched articles published between 1st January 1999 and 31st December 2023 in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane.

Weight changes among antiretroviral therapy-naïve people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has converted HIV from a death sentence to a chronic disease. Subsequently, weight changes, including the development of overweight/obesity have been observed following ART initiation. Our study aimed to assess weight changes and the associated factors among ART-naïve people living with HIV (PLWH) following enrollment in an ART clinic in Lagos, Nigeria.

Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of multimorbidity in South Africa: Insights from a nationally representative survey.

Background: Multimorbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa is under researched and includes distinct disease combinations to those seen in high income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of multimorbidity in South Africa, as well as the associated individual, area-level and contextual factors.

Methodology: Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted on nationally representative 2016 South Africa Demographic Health Survey Data.

Sickle Cell Disease in Africa: SickleInAfrica Registry in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where incomplete patient profiles and limited management strategies hinder research and healthcare standards.

Methods: We describe the first large-scale and multinational assessment of 13,403 SCD patients enrolled from 2017-2021 across 31 facilities in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania into the SickleInAfrica consortium registry. We used hierarchical regression models to estimate and analyze the demographics, adoption levels of SCD diagnosis and therapies.

Prevalence and associations of hypertension detection, treatment and control in Cape Town.

Aim: Globally, the prevalence of hypertension is high and rising; however, hypertension care remains suboptimal, including in South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associations of hypertension detection, treatment and control in > 21-year-old urban black residents with hypertension in Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods: In this randomly selected community-based cross-sectional study, data collection comprised administered questionnaires, clinical measurements and fasting biochemical analyses, including oral glucose tolerance tests.

Non-communicable disease and mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: Perspectives from selected healthcare professionals and patients.

Aim: South Africa has a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and experienced a high COVID-19 caseload, while the healthcare system was already overstretched. The aim of this study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of 1) healthcare professionals (HPs) of COVID-19 and NCD management, and the preparedness of health systems to provide NCD care, and 2) people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) on the care they received, their mental health status and the availability of health information during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

Methods: We recruited a convenience sample of 1) HPs who worked in healthcare management, i.

SHBG, testosterone and type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged African women: exploring the impact of HIV and menopause.

Context: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone are differentially associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk.

Objective: To investigate whether the associations between SHBG, testosterone and T2D risk differ by HIV and menopausal status in Black African women living with (WH) and without HIV (WOH).

Design: Cross-sectional observational.

Circulating Potassium/Magnesium Ratio, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Fasting Plasma Glucose, Oxidized LDL/Albumin Ratio, and Urinary Iodine Concentration Are Possible Entities for Screening for Preeclampsia in Low-Resource Settings.

: Several micro- and macro-nutrient malnutrition states that are routinely assessed during clinical care of women in the antenatal period have been proposed as risk factors for preeclampsia. However, there is a paucity of data on the potential use of these biomarkers for detection of preeclampsia. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of biomarkers from routine clinical tests, and those specific to micro- and macro-nutrient malnutrition, with the risk of preeclampsia.

PROBAST+AI: an updated quality, risk of bias, and applicability assessment tool for prediction models using regression or artificial intelligence methods.

The Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) is used to assess the quality, risk of bias, and applicability of prediction models or algorithms and of prediction model/algorithm studies. Since PROBAST’s introduction in 2019, much progress has been made in the methodology for prediction modelling and in the use of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, techniques. An update to PROBAST-2019 is thus needed.

A systematic review of mediation analysis frameworks in studies examining the determinants of cardiometabolic outcomes in people living with HIV.

Introduction: Mediation analysis provides a more flexible mechanistic view of the causal relationship between HIV-related factors and cardiometabolic diseases. However, there is limited evidence on how mediation analysis is implemented in this specific research area. We aimed to describe the frameworks used in mediation analysis and examine how these analyses are conducted and reported in studies focusing on cardiometabolic outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH).

Promotion of Cardiovascular Health in Africa: The Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA) Expert Panel.

This proposed scientific statement is focused on providing new insights regarding challenges and opportunities for cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion in Africa. The statement includes an overview of the current state of CVH in Africa, with a particular interest in the cardiometabolic risk factors and their evaluation through metrics. The statement also explains the main principles of primordial prevention, its relevance in reducing noncommunicable disease and the different strategies that have been effective worldwide.

Sex hormone-binding globulin, testosterone and type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged African women: exploring the impact of HIV and menopause.

Objectives: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone are differentially associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. We investigated whether these associations differ by HIV and menopausal status in Black South African women living with (WLWH) and without HIV (WLWOH).

Design: Cross-sectional observational.

Exploring the associations of tobacco smoking and serum cotinine levels with selected inflammatory markers in adults with HIV in South Africa.

This study examined the associations between tobacco smoking and serum cotinine levels, an objective biochemical measure of tobacco smoke exposure, with markers of inflammation, i.e., interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa.

Objective: Diabetes is an incapacitating condition affecting millions of people in South Africa. Maintaining optimal glycaemic control is crucial in preventing diabetes complications, highlighting the importance of diabetes self-care. This study examined how Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are associated with self-care management practices in individuals with diabetes in South Africa using the framework developed by the Healthy People 2020 initiative.

Ten Recommendations for Accelerating Hypertension and Diabetes Control to Reduce Stroke, Heart, and Renal Disease with the Aim to Save Lives in Cameroon Through Partnerships and Collaborations.

Hypertension and diabetes are currently the most common, treatable, and controllable cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors for stroke, heart, and renal diseases in Cameroon. Hypertension affects 30% of adults aged ≥ 20 years with 90% as uncontrolled cases, while type 2 diabetes affects 6% of the same population, with 70% remaining underdiagnosed. Despite publication of the first Roadmap on raised blood pressure by the World Heart Federation in 2015, the Pan African Society of Cardiology Roadmap in 2017, and the technical package for cardiovascular disease management in primary health care (WHO-HEARTS) in 2020, very little progress has been made in improving the diagnosis, treatment, and control of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases in Cameroon.

SHBG, Free Testosterone, and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Middle-aged African Men: A Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: To investigate longitudinal changes in SHBG and free testosterone (free T) levels among Black middle-aged African men, with and without coexistent HIV, and explore associations with incident dysglycaemia and measures of glucose metabolism.

Design: This longitudinal study enrolled 407 Black South African middle-aged men, comprising primarily 322 men living without HIV (MLWOH) and 85 men living with HIV (MLWH), with normal fasting glucose at enrollment. Follow-up assessments were conducted after 3.