African-specific molecular taxonomy of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is characterized by considerable geo-ethnic disparity. African ancestry is a significant risk factor, with mortality rates across sub-Saharan Africa of 2.7-fold higher than global averages1. The contributing genetic and non-genetic factors, and associated mutational processes, are unknown2,3. Here, through whole-genome sequencing of treatment-naive prostate cancer samples from 183 ancestrally (African versus European) and globally distinct patients, we generate a large cancer genomics resource for sub-Saharan Africa, identifying around 2 million somatic variants. Significant African-ancestry-specific findings include an elevated tumour mutational burden, increased percentage of genome alteration, a greater number of predicted damaging mutations and a higher total of mutational signatures, and the driver genes NCOA2, STK19, DDX11L1, PCAT1 and SETBP1. Examining all somatic mutational types, we describe a molecular taxonomy for prostate cancer differentiated by ancestry and defined as global mutational subtypes (GMS). By further including Chinese Asian data, we confirm that GMS-B (copy-number gain) and GMS-D (mutationally noisy) are specific to African populations, GMS-A (mutationally quiet) is universal (all ethnicities) and the African-European-restricted subtype GMS-C (copy-number losses) predicts poor clinical outcomes. In addition to the clinical benefit of including individuals of African ancestry, our GMS subtypes reveal different evolutionary trajectories and mutational processes suggesting that both common genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disparity between ethnicities. Analogous to gene-environment interaction-defined here as a different effect of an environmental surrounding in people with different ancestries or vice versa-we anticipate that GMS subtypes act as a proxy for intrinsic and extrinsic mutational processes in cancers, promoting global inclusion in landmark studies.

Obstetric anal sphincter injury by maternal origin and length of residence: a nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between maternal origin and obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI), and assess if associations differed by length of residence. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: The Medical Birth Registry of Norway. POPULATION: Primiparous women with vaginal livebirth of a singleton cephalic fetus between 2008 and 2017 (n = 188 658). METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for OASI with 95% CI by maternal region of origin and birthplace. We stratified models on length of residence and paternal birthplace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: OASI. RESULTS: Overall, 6373 cases of OASI were identified (3.4% of total cohort). Women from South Asia were most likely to experience OASI (6.2%; aOR 2.24, 95% CI 1.87-2.69), followed by those from Southeast Asia, East Asia & the Pacific (5.7%; 1.59, 1.37-1.83) and Sub-Saharan Africa (5.2%; 1.85, 1.55-2.20), compared with women originating from Norway. Among women born in the same region, those with short length of residence in Norway (0-4 years), showed the highest odds of OASI. Migrant women across most regions of origin had the lowest risk of OASI if they had a Norwegian partner. CONCLUSIONS: Primiparous women from Asian regions and Sub-Saharan Africa had up to two-fold risk of OASI, compared with women originating from Norway. Migrants with short residence and those with a foreign-born partner had higher risk of OASI, implying that some of the risk differential is due to sociocultural factors. Some migrants, especially new arrivals, may benefit from special attention during labour to reduce morbidity and achieve equitable outcomes. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Anal sphincter injury during birth is more common among Asian and Sub-Saharan migrants and particularly among recent arrivals.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among women of migrant origin in Finland: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. We studied the prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among women of migrant origin in Finland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study used data from the nationwide Medical Birth Register. Information on the most recent singleton birth of women who delivered between 2004 and 2014 (n = 382 233) was included. Women were classified into nine regional categories based on the country of origin. Women of Finnish origin were the reference group. Generalized linear models adjusted for maternal age, socioeconomic position, smoking in pregnancy, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, preexisting diabetes and delivery year were used to study the association between region/country of origin and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. RESULTS: Among the study population, almost 8% were of migrant origin. The prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy varied from 1.3% (women of East Asian origin) to 4.2% (women of Sub-Saharan African origin), compared with 4.6% in the Finnish origin reference group. Compared with women of Finnish origin, the risk for any hypertensive disorders of pregnancy after adjustment for confounders was lower for women of migrant origin, with an exception for women of Sub-Saharan African origin. When analyzing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia outcomes separately, Sub-Saharan African origin women had a lower risk for gestational hypertension (risk ratio [RR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-0.56) but a higher risk for preeclampsia (RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.44-2.17) than women of Finnish origin. CONCLUSIONS: In general, women of migrant origin in Finland had a lower risk for any hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational hypertension. The risk for preeclampsia was higher among women of Sub-Saharan African origin and may warrant special attention.

Epidemiological shift of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase mutations in northern Italy in the last 15 years.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked recessive hemolytic anemia caused by mutations in G6PD gene. The distribution and frequency of genetic variants differ depending on ethnicity and geographical areas. Because of new migrations different variants are now present in Europe. This retrospective study aims to identify variants among the G6PD deficient subjects referred since 2004 to IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation Hospital in Milan. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (2004-2008), group 2 (2009-2013), and group 3 (2014-2018). During 15 years a significant decrease of the Mediterranean and an important increase of the African, Asian, and uncommon variants (classified as Others) have been observed. Three new mutations were found: in group 2 heterozygosity for c.[1454G > A] (Gly485Asp) in an adult female with severe anemia, high bilirubin levels and G6PD activity of 0,69 (IU/gHb) and heterozygosity for c.[584A > G] (Gln195Arg) in an elderly woman of Italian origin showing only anemia and enzymatic activity of 1,54 (IU/gHb) were detected. In group 3 hemizygosity for c.[670A > T] (Ile224Phe) in an adult Chinese man without anemia but with total absence of G6PD activity was found. These data reflect the appearance of uncommon G6PD mutations in northern Italy, probably due to new migrations, as consequence G6PD characterization becomes a diagnostic issue.

First morphogenetic analysis of parasite eggs from Schistosomiasis haematobium infected sub-Saharan migrants in Spain and proposal for a new standardised study methodology.

Schistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease caused by trematode species of the genus Schistosoma. Both, autochthonous and imported cases of urogenital schistosomiasis have been described in Europe. The present study focuses on eggs, considered pure S. haematobium by genetic characterisation (intergenic ITS region of the rDNA and cox1 mtDNA). A phenotypic characterisation of S. haematobium eggs was made by morphometric comparison with experimental populations of S. bovis and S. mansoni, to help in the diagnosis of S. haematobium populations infecting sub-Saharan migrants in Spain. Analyses were made by Computer Image Analysis System (CIAS) applied on the basis of new standardised measurements and geometric morphometric tools. The principal component analysis (PCA), including seventeen non-redundant measurements, showed three phenotypic patterns in eggs of S. haematobium, S. bovis and S. mansoni. PCA showed that the S. bovis population presented a large egg size range with a pronouncedly larger maximum size. Similarly, S. bovis shows bigger spine values than S. haematobium. Mahalanobis distances between each pair of groups were calculated for each discriminant analysis performed. In general, S. mansoni and S. bovis present larger distances between them than with S. haematobium, i.e. they present the greatest differences. Regarding the spine, S. haematobium and S. mansoni are the most distant species. Results show the usefulness of this methodology for the phenotypic differentiation between eggs from these Schistosoma species, capable of discerning morphologically close eggs, as is the case of the haematobium group. Schistosoma egg phenotyping approaches may be applied to assess not only hybrid forms but also potential influences of a variety of other factors.

Understanding the blended impacts of COVID-19 and systemic inequalities on sub-Saharan African immigrants in Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a grave health threat and has serious socio-economic implications for all. However, crises are not experienced equally; the pandemic has disproportionately affected immigrants in several countries, including Canada and the United States. The effects of COVID-19 have exposed the realities of societal and structural inequities, worsened the socio-economic status of many immigrants, and placed them at higher risks of poor health outcomes. Emerging research on COVID-19 and race in Canada addresses the structural inequities that shape the disproportionate harms of COVID-19 on immigrants. For sub-Saharan African immigrants, these inequities are worse due to the intersecting systems of race, gender, and class marginalization. They tend to be more exposed and less protected amid the pandemic. Given the lack of research on sub-Saharan African immigrants' experiences in Canada, this paper discusses how multiple axes of inequities shape their health and livelihood during COVID-19. The objective is to provide a broader scientific understanding of issues related to systemic inequities and health for sub-Saharan African immigrants in Canada and the related implications for public health advocates, policymakers, and the public.

RéSUMé: La pandémie de COVID-19 pose une grave menace pour la santé et a de graves conséquences socioéconomiques pour tous. Les crises ne touchent cependant pas tout le monde également; la pandémie a démesurément touché les immigrants dans plusieurs pays, entre autres au Canada et aux États-Unis. Les effets de la COVID-19 ont mis au jour la réalité des iniquités sociétales et structurelles, réduit le statut socioéconomique de nombreux immigrants et exposé ces immigrants à de plus grands risques de mauvais résultats cliniques. Des études émergentes sur la COVID-19 et la race au Canada abordent les iniquités structurelles qui déterminent les préjudices disproportionnés causés par la COVID-19 aux immigrants. Pour les immigrants d'Afrique subsaharienne, ces iniquités sont pires en raison de l'entrecroisement des systèmes de marginalisation fondés sur la race, le sexe et la classe sociale. Ces immigrants tendent à être plus exposés et moins protégés au milieu de la pandémie. Étant donné le manque d'études sur les expériences des immigrants d'Afrique subsaharienne au Canada, nous abordons ici l'influence des nombreux axes de l'iniquité sur leur santé et leurs moyens de subsistance durant la COVID-19. Notre objectif est de présenter une interprétation scientifique plus vaste des problèmes liés aux iniquités systémiques et à la santé chez les immigrants d'Afrique subsaharienne au Canada et des conséquences qui en découlent pour les défenseurs de la santé publique, les responsables des politiques et le grand public.

Does women's place of birth affect their opportunity for an informed choice about Down syndrome screening? A population-based study in France.

BACKGROUND: To examine disparities by maternal place of birth in the opportunity to make an informed choice about Down syndrome screening, in France, where the national guidelines recommend that physicians offer it to all pregnant women. METHODS: We used population-based data from the nationally representative French Perinatal Surveys in 2010 and 2016 (N=24,644 women) to analyze the opportunity for an informed choice for prenatal screening, measured by a composite indicator. RESULTS: Among the 24 644 women in the study, 20 612 (83.6%) were born in France, 861 (3.5%) elsewhere in Europe, 1550 (6.3%) in North Africa, and 960 (3.9%) in sub-Saharan Africa. The probability of screening was lower for women born outside France. After adjustment for survey year, maternal age, parity, education level, and the maternity unit's level of perinatal care, women born outside France had the opportunity to make an informed choice less often than women born in France. This association remained essentially the same even after excluding women without adequate prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS: Women born outside France, including those with adequate prenatal care, had less opportunity than women born in France to make an informed choice about prenatal screening for Down syndrome.

Who falls between the cracks? Identifying eligible PrEP users among people with Sub-Saharan African migration background living in Antwerp, Belgium.

INTRODUCTION: This study produces an estimate of the proportion of eligible PrEP users among people of Sub-Saharan African background based on the Belgian PrEP eligibility criteria and examines associations with socio-economic and demographic characteristics. METHODS: We performed logistic regression analysis on data of a representative community-based survey conducted among Sub-Saharan African communities (n = 685) living in Antwerp. RESULTS: Almost a third (30.3%) of the respondents were eligible to use PrEP. Those who were male, single, lower educated, undocumented, and had experienced forced sex were more likely to be eligible for PrEP use. The findings highlight the importance of taking intra-, interpersonal and structural HIV risk factors into account. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows high unmet PrEP needs in this population, especially among those with high vulnerability for HIV acquisition. A better understanding of barriers to PrEP use in this population group is needed to allow for equitable access.

Deterioration of mental health and insufficient Covid-19 information among disadvantaged immigrants in the greater Paris area.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to provide information on changes in mental health among disadvantaged immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in the Greater Paris area and their level of information about Covid-19. METHODS: Prior to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Makasi community-based cohort followed 850 immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa in the Greater Paris area. Between the 1st of April and the 7th of June 2020, all participants scheduled for a follow-up survey were systematically included into an additional COVID-19-related wave of data collection (N = 100). We compared participants' type of housing, level of food insecurity, work and mental health (PHQ9) before and during the first COVID-19-related lockdown, using paired-Mc Nemar chi-2 tests. We next described their level of information on Covid-19 and policy measures, broken down by sex. RESULTS: Among the 100 participants, 68% had no legal residence permit. Food insecurity was more often reported during lockdown than before (62% vs 52%). 9% of participants had a score indicative of severe depression (PHQ9) before lockdown and 17% afterwards (p = 0.17). Only 51% knew about the possibility of asymptomatic transmission of the COVID-19 virus. CONCLUSIONS: This study brings original information on a hard-to-reach population group. Our results suggest that the lockdown had a detrimental impact on various economic and mental health aspects among disadvantaged migrants residing in the Greater Paris area.

Change in health profile of refugees resettling in New Zealand, 1980-2014.

AIM: To update data previously published on the health profile of the refugees resettling in New Zealand, and to draw attention to the change in health profile over time, with a decline of infectious disease/deficiencies, and a rise of non-communicable diseases, a worldwide phenomenon. METHOD: Comparative data was extracted from (1) written annual reports prepared by medical officers at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre (1978-1991), (2) a Microsoft ACCESS patient management system between 1995 and 1999 and (3) a MEDTECH patient management system between 2010 and 2014. RESULTS: Over the period 1979-2014, the rate of infectious diseases has declined markedly in resettling refugees, and the rate of non-communicable diseases has increased. For example, the incidence of tuberculosis has decreased from 4% to 0.2%, gut parasites from more than 40% to, in some intakes, 15% and iron deficiency from 22% to 10%, while the diabetes rate has gone from 0.1% to 2.7%. CONCLUSION: While management of unfamiliar infectious diseases and deficiencies (especially vitamin D) still remains an important part of the management of refugee health, their management usually involves limited time and expense, and their burden is much less than before. However, refugees now resettling in New Zealand and the rest of the world often present with familiar non-communicable diseases that require long-term management.

Screening program for latent tuberculosis infection in asylum seekers - a single center experience in Pavia, Italy.

BACKGROUND: The management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection is crucial in fighting Tuberculosis worldwide, and particularly in low incidence European Countries. While guidelines for the management of Tuberculosis in newly arrived immigrants have been issued by the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention and by the National Health Authorities in Italy, these are not widely implemented yet at local level. STUDY DESIGN: We report our program for the screening of Latent Tuberculosis Infection and active Tuberculosis in asylum seekers, jointly implemented by Public Health Authorities and the Infectious Diseases Department of a tertiary care, teaching hospital in Northern Italy. METHODS: We reviewed records of the asylum seekers who were screened at our center via Tuberculin Skin Test and/or Interferon Gamma Release Assay plus chest X-ray and either treated with Isoniazid Preventive Treatment or for active Tuberculosis Disease in case of positive results. RESULTS: We screened 726 migrants, mostly males (97.3%) and from Sub-Saharan Africa (82.2%) and found a high adherence rate for both screening (98.2%) and Isoniazid Preventive Treatment (90.1%). In addition, we found seven cases of active Tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Latent Tuberculosis Infection screening and treatment proved feasible in our program, which should be systematically implemented in asylum seekers reaching Europe.

[Pharmacists' and key populations' points of view on HIV self-test dispensation in pharmacies in France]. / Les enjeux de l'autotest VIH en officine perçus par des pharmaciens et des populations concernées en France.

OBJECTIVE: The HIV self-test has been on sale in France since September 2015. What is the point of view of pharmacists and key populations with regard to accessing self-tests in community pharmacies ? METHOD: One year after the HIV self-test came onto the market, the points of view of pharmacists and key populations with regard to HIV were collected during six focus groups: the pharmacists themselves; people who had already used HIV self-tests; potential users from two key populations with regard to HIV: migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and men who have sex with men; potential users from populations with active sex lives but not particularly vulnerable with regard to HIV: young adults (<25 years of age), multi-partner heterosexual adults. RESULTS: The HIV self-test in community pharmacies is perceived by all participants as a significant step forward for accessing screening for HIV. However, issues around discretion and anonymity were seen to create significant tensions with regard to accessing the test itself, but also the information necessary to use it correctly both at a technical level and above all concerning how to interpret test results. CONCLUSION: Although the present study underlines the role of the pharmacist as a significant public health actor in the dispensation of the self-test, the sales price and questions of anonymity are seen as major obstacles. Priority actions include renewing communication campaigns concerning the existence and the use of the product for the upcoming generations of young people but also specific campaigns targeting more vulnerable populations.

HIV infection and COVID-19: risk factors for severe disease.

: We performed an observational prospective monocentric study in patients living with HIV (PLWH) diagnosed with COVID-19. Fifty-four PLWH developed COVID-19 with 14 severe (25.9%) and five critical cases (9.3%), respectively. By multivariate analysis, age, male sex, ethnic origin from sub-Saharan Africa and metabolic disorder were associated with severe or critical forms of COVID-19. Prior CD4 T cell counts did not differ between groups. No protective effect of a particular antiretroviral class was observed.

Monitoring progress towards the first UNAIDS 90-90-90 target in key populations living with HIV in Norway.

BACKGROUND: In line with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 target, Norway aims for at least 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) to know their HIV-status. We produced current estimates of the number of PLHIV and undiagnosed population in Norway, overall and for six key subpopulations: Norwegian-born men who have sex with men (MSM), migrant MSM, Norwegian-born heterosexuals, migrant Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)-born heterosexuals, migrant non-SSA-born heterosexuals and people who inject drugs. METHODS: We used the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) HIV Modelling Tool on Norwegian HIV surveillance data through 2018 to estimate incidence, time from infection to diagnosis, PLHIV, and the number and proportion undiagnosed. As surveillance data on CD4 count at diagnosis were not collected in Norway, we ran two models; using default model CD4 assumptions, or a proxy for CD4 distribution based on Danish national surveillance data. We also generated alternative overall PLHIV estimates using the Spectrum AIDS Impact Model, to compare with those obtained from the ECDC tool. RESULTS: Estimates of the overall number of PLHIV in 2018 using different modelling approaches aligned at approximately 5000. In both ECDC models, the overall number undiagnosed decreased continuously from 2008. The proportion undiagnosed in 2018 was lower using default model CD4 assumptions (7.1% [95%CI: 5.3-8.9%]), than the Danish CD4 proxy (10.2% [8.3-12.1%]). This difference was driven by results for heterosexual migrants. Estimates for Norwegian-born MSM, migrant MSM and Norwegian-born heterosexuals were similar in both models. In these three subpopulations, incidence in 2018 was < 30 new infections, and the number undiagnosed had decreased in recent years. Norwegian-born MSM had the lowest estimated number of undiagnosed infections (45 [30-75], using default CD4 assumptions) and undiagnosed fraction (3.6% [2.4-5.7%], using default CD4 assumptions) in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: Results allow cautious confidence in concluding that Norway has achieved the first UNAIDS 90-90-90 target, and clearly highlight the success of prevention strategies among MSM. Estimates for subpopulations strongly influenced by migration remain less clear, and future modelling should appropriately account for all-cause mortality and out-migration, and adjust for time of in-migration.

Serum and cervicovaginal IgG immune responses against α7 and α9 HPV in non-vaccinated women at risk for cervical cancer: Implication for catch-up prophylactic HPV vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer associated with high risk-human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is becoming the one of the most common female cancer in many sub-Saharan African countries. First-generation immigrant African women living in Europe are at-risk for cervical cancer, in a context of social vulnerability, with frequent lack of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to address immunologically the issue of catch-up prophylactic HPV vaccination in first-generation African immigrant women living in France. METHODS: IgG immune responses and cross-reactivities to α7 (HPV-18, -45 and -68) and α9 (HPV-16, -31, -33, -35, -52 and -58) HPV types, including 7 HR-HPV targeted by the Gardasil-9® prophylactic vaccine, were evaluated in paired serum and cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) by HPV L1-virus-like particles-based ELISA. Genital HPV were detected by multiplex real time PCR (Seegene, Seoul, South Korea). RESULTS: Fifty-one immigrant women (mean age, 41.7 years; 72.5% HIV-infected) were prospectively included. More than two-third (68.6%) of them carried genital HPV (group I) while 31.4% were negative (group II). The majority (90.2%) exhibited serum IgG to at least one α7/α9 HR-HPV. Serum HPV-specific IgG were more frequently detected in group I than group II (100% versus 68.7%; P = 0.002). The distribution of serum and genital HPV-specific IgG was similar, but mean number of IgG reactivities to α7/α9 HR-HPV was higher in serum than CVS (5.6 IgG per woman in serum versus 3.2 in CVS; P<0.001). Rates of IgG cross-reactivities against HPV different from detected cervicovaginal HPV were higher in serum and CVS in group I than group II. Finally, the majority of groups I and II women (68.6% and 68.7%, respectively) exhibited serum or cervicovaginal IgG to Gardasil-9® HR-HPV, with higher mean rates in group I than group II (6.1 Gardasil-9® HR-HPV per woman versus 1.4; P<0.01). One-third (31.2%) of group II women did not show any serum and genital HPV-specific IgG. CONCLUSIONS: Around two-third of first-generation African immigrant women living in France showed frequent ongoing genital HPV infection and high rates of circulating and genital IgG to α7/α9 HPV, generally cross-reacting, avoiding the possibility of catch-up vaccination. Nevertheless, about one-third of women had no evidence of previous HPV infection, or showed only low levels of genital and circulating HR-HPV-specific IgG and could therefore be eligible for catch-up vaccination.

Association of HPV35 with cervical carcinogenesis among women of African ancestry: Evidence of viral-host interaction with implications for disease intervention.

HPV35 has been found in only ∼2% of invasive cervical cancers (ICC) worldwide but up to 10% in Sub-Saharan Africa, warranting further investigation and consideration of impact on preventive strategies. We studied HPV35 and ethnicity, in relation to the known steps in cervical carcinogenesis, using multiple large epidemiologic studies in the U.S. and internationally. Combining five U.S. studies, we measured HPV35 positivity and, in Northern California, observed HPV35 type-specific population prevalence and estimated 5-year risk of developing precancer when HPV35-positive. HPV35 genetic variation was examined for differences in carcinogenicity in 1053 HPV35+ cervical specimens from a U.S. cohort and an international collection. African-American women had more HPV35 (12.1% vs 5.1%, P < .001) and more HPV35-associated precancers (7.4% vs 2.1%, P < .001) compared to other ethnicities. Precancer risks after HPV35 infection did not vary by ethnicity (global P = .52). The HPV35 A2 sublineage showed an increased association with precancer/cancer in African-Americans (OR = 5.6 vs A1, 95% CI = 1.3-24.8) and A2 was more prevalent among ICC in Africa than other world regions (41.9% vs 10.4%, P < .01). Our analyses support a strong link between HPV35 and cervical carcinogenesis in women of African ancestry. Current HPV vaccines cover the majority of cervical precancer/cancer across all ethnic groups; additional analyses are required to determine whether the addition of HPV35 to the already highly effective nine-valent HPV vaccine would provide better protection for women in Africa or of African ancestry.

A Population-Based Study of Diabetes Incidence by Ethnicity and Age: Support for the Development of Ethnic-Specific Prevention Strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Although national guidelines advocate for earlier diabetes screening in high-risk ethnic groups, little evidence exists to guide clinicians on the age at which screening should commence. The purpose of this study was to determine age equivalency thresholds for diabetes risk across a broad range of ethnic populations. METHODS: This population-based, retrospective cohort study used linked administrative health and immigration records for 592,376 individuals in Ontario, Canada. Adjusted incidence rates by ethnicity, sex and age were used to derive ethnic-specific age thresholds for risk. RESULTS: Diabetes incidence rates in South Asians reached an equivalent risk as that experienced by a 40-year-old Western European man (3.7 per 1,000 person-years) by 25 years of age. For all other non-European ethnic groups, the equivalent risk was experienced between 30 and 35 years of age. These risk differentials persisted despite controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: We found a 15-year difference in age equivalency of risk across ethnic groups.

Maternal obesity and severe pre-eclampsia among immigrant women: a mediation analysis.

We investigated the extent to which pre-pregnancy obesity mediates the association between maternal place of birth and severe pre-eclampsia in the PreCARE cohort of pregnant women in Paris (n = 9,579). Adjusted path analysis logistic regression models were used to assess the role of pre-pregnancy obesity as a mediator in the association between maternal place of birth and the development of severe pre-eclampsia. We calculated 1. adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the total exposure-outcome association and for the direct and indirect/obesity-mediated components 2. the indirect/obesity-mediated effect. Ninety-five (0.99%) women developed severe pre-eclampsia, 47.6% were non-European immigrants, 16.3% were born in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 12.6% were obese (BMI > = 30 kg/m2). Women experiencing severe pre-eclampsia were more likely to be from Sub-Saharan Africa (p = 0.023) and be obese (p = 0.048). Mothers from Sub-Saharan Africa had an increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia compared to European-born mothers (aOR 2.53, 95% CI 1.39-4.58) and the obesity-mediated indirect effect was 18% of the total risk (aOR 1.18, 95%CI 1.03-1.35). In conclusion, Sub-Saharan African immigrant women have a two-fold higher risk of developing severe pre-eclampsia as compared to European-born women, one-fifth of which is mediated by pre-pregnancy obesity. Our results quantify the potential benefit of decreasing obesity among at-risk women.

Association of neighbourhood migrant density and risk of non-affective psychosis: a national, longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated risk of psychotic disorders in migrant groups is a public mental health priority. We investigated whether living in areas of high own-region migrant density was associated with reduced risk of psychotic disorders among migrants and their children, and whether generation status, probable visible minority status, or region-of-origin affected this relationship. METHODS: We used the Swedish registers to identify migrants and their children born between Jan 1, 1982, and Dec 31, 1996, and living in Sweden on or after their 15th birthday. We tracked all included participants from age 15 years or date of migration until emigration, death, or study end (Dec 31, 2016). The outcome was an ICD-10 diagnosis of non-affective psychosis (F20-29). We calculated own-region and generation-specific own-region density within the 9208 small areas for market statistics neighbourhoods in Sweden, and estimated the relationship between density and diagnosis of non-affective psychotic disorders using multilevel Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for individual confounders (generation status, age, sex, calendar year, lone dwelling, and time since migration [migrants only]), family confounders (family income, family unemployment, and social welfare), and neighbourhood confounders (deprivation index, population density, and proportion of lone dwellings), and using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) to compare model fit. FINDINGS: Of 468 223 individuals included in the final cohort, 4582 (1·0%) had non-affective psychotic disorder. Lower own-region migrant density was associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders among migrants (hazard ratio [HR] 1·05, 95% CI 1·02-1·07 per 5% decrease) and children of migrants (1·03, 1·01-1·06), after adjustment. These effects were stronger for probable visible minority migrants (1·07, 1·04-1·11), including migrants from Asia (1·42, 1·15-1·76) and sub-Saharan Africa (1·28, 1·15-1·44), but not migrants from probable non-visible minority backgrounds (0·99, 0·94-1·04). Among migrants, adding generation status to the measure of own-region density provided a better fit to the data than overall own-region migrant density (AIC 36 103 vs 36 106, respectively), with a 5% decrease in generation-specific migrant density corresponding to a HR of 1·07 (1·04-1·11). INTERPRETATION: Migrant density was associated with non-affective psychosis risk in migrants and their children. Stronger protective effects of migrant density were found for probable visible minority migrants and migrants from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. For migrants, this risk intersected with generation status. Together, these results suggest that this health inequality is socially constructed. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, Royal Society, Mental Health Research UK, University College London, National Institute for Health Research, Swedish Research Council, and FORTE.

Differences in caesarean delivery and neonatal outcomes among women of migrant origin in Finland: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: In Finland, limited information is available on neonatal disparities among women of migrant origin. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated differences in caesarean delivery and neonatal outcomes between women of migrant origin and Finnish women in Finland. METHODS: The study was based on nationwide data from the Medical Birth Register of Finland. Our study included information on the most recent singleton birth of women delivering between January 2004 and December 2014 (N = 382 233). Women were classified into nine regional categories based on their country of origin. Generalized linear models were used to describe associations between country of origin and pregnancy outcomes adjusted for maternal age, socio-economic status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity, marital status, smoking during pregnancy, and delivery year. Finnish women were the reference group. RESULTS: Among the study population, almost 92% of women were of Finnish origin; the remaining 8% were of migrant origin. Among the migrant women, those of Russian/former USSR origin were the largest group (n = 11 994); the smallest group was women of Latin American/Caribbean origin (n = 739). Compared with Finnish women, women of sub-Saharan African, South Asian, and East Asian origin were at greater risk of emergency caesarean delivery, preterm birth, low birthweight, and lower five-minute Apgar scores for newborns. Latin American/Caribbean-origin women were at increased risk of both elective and emergency caesarean delivery and lower five-minute Apgar scores compared with Finnish women. Women of Russian/former USSR origin overall had a lower risk of caesarean delivery and poor neonatal outcomes compared with Finnish women. CONCLUSIONS: We identified sub-Saharan African, South Asian, and East Asian women as higher-risk groups, and women from Russia/former USSR as a lower-risk group, for emergency caesarean delivery and poor neonatal outcome compared with Finnish women. More research is needed to identify the reasons for these differences by country of origin in Finland.