Pregnancy complications and calculated cardiovascular risk in urban women: do we envisage an association?

Most researches related to pregnancy complications and future cardiovascular disease, and their risk factors have been equivocal. Existence and extent of these complications, as a contributing factor to CVD risks, with underlying mechanisms of these associations, still remain uncertain. Hence, the current study tends to examine associations between "complicated pregnancies" with obesity markers known to be coherent reflections of cardiovascular health in urban women. A cross-sectional sample of 631 Punjabi Khatri (mean age: 33 ± 5.58 years) urban women was studied for associations of pregnancy diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, and size for GA with calculated 10-year CVD risk (based on the Framingham score). A wide range of obesity markers (BMI, waist circumference (WC), WHR, and WHtR) were measured 3-8 years postpregnancy to determine its association with complications during pregnancy. The association with the calculated 10-year CVD risk (≥10 %) based on the Framingham prediction score was 3.01 OR (2.11-3.72 CI) for pregnancy DM, 4.52 (3.68-4.93 CI) for preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, 2.16 (2.01-2.79 CI) for size at GA (SGA and LGA), 2.25 (1.91-2.85 CI) for preterm births, and 2.48 (2.08-3.98 CI) for abnormal birth weight when compared with women without pregnancy diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia/gestational hypertension, appropriate gestational age, full-term babies, and normal birth weight, respectively, in completely adjusted models. Therefore, HDP, pregnancy diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy outcomes are all associated with an increased risk of CVD 10 years later. Pregnancy may provide an opportunity to identify women at increased risk of CVD relatively early in life.

Natural selection among coastal populations of India: trend and extent.

BACKGROUND: Coastal populations have always been exposed to socio-cultural and natural vulnerability. The correlates between these coastal populations and their selection potentials have not been previously described. AIM: To describe selection potentials, their trend and extent among coastal and non-coastal populations of the Indian continent. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data on fertility and mortality differentials among five coastal populations were collected from 448 women of Orissa and Goa. Selection potential was computed. In addition, 48 studies among 100 different populations of India were reviewed for similar parameters, for comparison. RESULTS: Total index of selection (I(t)) varied from 0.221-0.417 in the population of Orissa; whereas the population of Goa showed a moderate index of selection. Regression analysis showed that among the coastal population the contribution of index of mortality (I(m)) is higher (92.5%) in total selection index (I(t)) as compared to non-coastal populations (56.4%). After 1991, there was a radical shift in the role of mortality in the entire region. Simultaneously, the selection intensity (I(t)) has gradually declined. CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in the extent and process of natural selection among coastal and non-coastal populations. Mortality is playing a greater role in the total selection intensity of coastal populations, although the trend is declining in the entire region and reversal in the roles of I(m) and index of fertility (I(f)) is witnessed.

Nutrition, physical activity and psychological status during lockdown due to Covid-19

Aim of the present study was to assess physical activity, nutrition and psychological status of the population during lockdown due to covid-19. Online survey was conductedamong 534 participants within the age range of 16-78 years using convenient sampling. Participantsfrom varied regions within India and abroad were enrolled for the present study. Volunteered participants were solicited to take part in a survey that has to be carried out by filling an online questionnaire form available to them as a URL link in the invitation through WhatsApp/Messenger. The gathered data has been compiled, coded and cleaned using Microsoft Excel. Analysis has been carried out employing descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 17.0.Majority of participants in the studied population showed significant change in their nutrition and physical activity status due to lockdown. Covid-19 lockdown did limit their daily activities. It also had impacted their psychological status.The current investigation accentuates the need to pursue suitable life style for the maintenance of optimum metabolism and physiology. Sticking to more regular timetable of meals, effective management of stress levels and continued physical activity during the quarantine and in all the following phases of living is desirable.

Impact of consanguinity on cardio-metabolic health and other diseases: findings from an Afro-Indian tribal community.

Numerous anthropological reports have indicated consanguineous marriage in populous Asian countries, but the overall impact of first cousin marriage on survival and health of specific communities has rarely been reported. The aim of the study was to estimate risks for various complex diseases in the progeny of consanguineous parents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 women among Siddis, a particularly vulnerable tribal group in the state of Gujarat, India, who are Sunni Muslims by faith. The Siddis are not part of the original Negrito element of India. They are descendants of Africans from Northeast and East Africa who were brought to India as slaves, soldiers, or servants. The degree of consanguinity between each female and her spouse and the degree of consanguinity between their parents and proband's grandparents were recorded with the help of pedigrees. The results showed that the rate of consanguinity in the present generation was 49 % (N = 109), higher than preceding generations. A significant association was observed between women's age, educational level, occupational status, consanguineous parents, and consanguinity. Socioeconomic status and consanguinity showed U-shaped associations. Nearly three times odds for cardio-metabolic risks (2.65 odds ratio (OR) for heart diseases, 2.44 OR for diabetes mellitus, and 2.62 OR for hypertension) have been contracted in the progeny of consanguineous marriage in the parental generation. The risk of cardio-metabolic diseases is higher in offspring of consanguineous couples, and there is a significant increase in the prevalence of common adult diseases.