Applying systems thinking to identify enablers and challenges to scale-up interventions for hypertension and diabetes in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for a longitudinal mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: There is an urgent need to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in low-and middle-income countries, where the greatest burden lies. Yet, there is little research concerning the specific issues involved in scaling up NCD interventions targeting low-resource settings. We propose to examine this gap in up to 27 collaborative projects, which were funded by the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) 2019 Scale Up Call, reflecting a total funding investment of approximately US$50 million. These projects represent diverse countries, contexts and adopt varied approaches and study designs to scale-up complex, evidence-based interventions to improve hypertension and diabetes outcomes. A systematic inquiry of these projects will provide necessary scientific insights into the enablers and challenges in the scale up of complex NCD interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will apply systems thinking (a holistic approach to analyse the inter-relationship between constituent parts of scaleup interventions and the context in which the interventions are implemented) and adopt a longitudinal mixed-methods study design to explore the planning and early implementation phases of scale up projects. Data will be gathered at three time periods, namely, at planning (TP), initiation of implementation (T0) and 1-year postinitiation (T1). We will extract project-related data from secondary documents at TP and conduct multistakeholder qualitative interviews to gather data at T0 and T1. We will undertake descriptive statistical analysis of TP data and analyse T0 and T1 data using inductive thematic coding. The data extraction tool and interview guides were developed based on a literature review of scale-up frameworks. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The current protocol was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC number 23482). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and more broadly through the GACD network.

Epidemiology of early repolarization pattern in an adult general population.

Background: Early repolarization pattern (ERP) is a frequent finding in asymptomatic subjects with controversial implications regarding to its prognosis. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of ERP and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors among the adult population in the Southern Cone of Latin America.Methods: A sub-sample of 5398 participants of the CESCAS I study was included in the present analysis. ERP was defined as a J peak ≥0.1 mV in two or more contiguous leads with an end-QRS notch or slur on the downslope of a prominent R-wave.Results: The global prevalence of ERP was 8.1%; 11.1% in men and 5.6% in women. The prevalence in women increased with age (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-4.2, at >65 years, p < 0.001), current cigarette smoking (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.0-2.0, p = 0.045) and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.0-2.0, 0 p = 0.036). Conversely, in men, ERP prevalence decreased with age (OR 0.5, 95%CI 0.3-0.9, at >65 years, p = 0.01) and obesity (OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4-0.8, p = 0.006). We found an increasing ERP prevalence with a higher Sokolow-Lyon index in both sexes (p < 0.001). Inferior location was found in 67.9% of cases, and the most common ERP type was a "slurring" appearance without ST elevation (76.3%).Conclusions: We found an overall prevalence of ERP of 8.1% and a robust association of ERP with normal BMI and higher Sokolow-Lyon index in men and with hypercholesterolaemia, current cigarette smoking and higher Sokolow-Lyon index in women.

Associations between major dietary patterns and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction in two urban midsized cities in Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether dietary patterns (DPS) are associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED) markers in an Argentinian population. RESEARCH METHODS & PROCEDURES: The sample in this cross-sectional study was derived from 1,983 subjects from two mid-sized cities in Argentina who were involved in the CESCAS I Study. To define DP, a food-frequency questionnaire was applied. In a subsample randomly selected from the primary cohort, serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble E selectin (sSELE) were determined. Correlations and multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relation between each quartile of DP adherence score and ED markers (Q1 lowest adherence; Q4 highest adherence). RESULTS: Three DPs were identified: Traditional (TDP), Prudent (PDP), and Convenience and processed (CDP). TDP was characterized by higher intake of refined grains, red meat, whole fat dairy products, vegetable oils, and "mate", a traditional South American infused drink; PDP was characterized by higher intake of vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and legumes; and CDP consisted mainly of processed meat, snacks, pizza, and "empanadas", a stuffed bread served baked or fried. Lower scores (Q2, Q3) in TDP were inversely associated with concentrations of sSELE (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In PDP, higher scores were inversely associated with hs-CRP, whereas lower scores showed a positive relation with sSELE (P < 0.05). Contrariwise, higher scores in CDP were directly associated with sSELE concentrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adherence for each DP identified is differentially related to ED markers in the studied population.

Antecedentes familiares de cáncer de mama y colorrectal en una cohorte de población general en dos ciudades de Argentina / Family History of Breast and Colorectal Cancer in a Population-Based Cohort in two cities of Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los cánceres de mama (CM) y colorrectal (CCR) presentan una elevada carga de enfermedad en Argentina, por lo que el estudio de la epidemiología de estos tumores constituye una prioridad en salud pública. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir la prevalencia de antecedentes familiares de CM y CCR, y estimar la incidencia de los tumores en adultos de 35 a 74 años de dos ciudades de Argentina: Bariloche y Marcos Paz. MÉTODOS: En el marco de la cohorte prospectiva de población general CESCAS I (Estudio de detección y seguimiento de enfermedad cardiovascular y factores de riesgo en el Cono Sur de Latinoamérica), se recolectó información individual sobre antecedentes familiares de CM y CCR en una muestra representativa de las ciudades de Bariloche y Marcos Paz. Los casos de cáncer fueron investigados mediante documentación médica respaldatoria. RESULTADOS: Durante 2016-2017 se obtuvo información de 3245 participantes. El 8,4% de la población reportó antecedente familiar de CCR, y el 15,2% de las mujeres, de CM. La incidencia anual para el período 2011-2017 fue de 55,2/100 000 mujeres de 35 a 74 años (IC95%: 22,8-133,7) para CM y 8,5/100 000 adultos de 35 a 74 años (IC95%: 15,3-96,8) para CCR. CONCLUSIONES: Además de garantizar el acceso universal a los programas de tamizaje, se debe tener en cuenta la importancia de indagar sobre los antecedentes familiares de cáncer para identificar pacientes con riesgo aumentado, que requieren algoritmos particulares de detección temprana y vigilancia.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) both present a high burden of disease in Argentina. Hence, studying the epidemiology of these tumors constitutes a public health priority. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of family history of BC and CRC and to estimate the incidence of these tumors in adults aged between 35 and 74 years from two cities in Argentina: Bariloche and Marcos Paz. METHODS: As part of the prospective population-based cohort CESCAS I (Study of detection and monitoring of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in the Southern Cone of Latin America), individual information on family history of BC and CRC was collected from a representative sample of the cities of Bariloche and Marcos Paz. Cancer cases were investigated using supporting medical documentation. RESULTS: During 2016-2017, information from 3245 participants was obtained. Family history of CRC was reported by 8.4% of the population, and 15.2% of women reported a family history of BC. The annual incidence for the 2011-2017 period was 55.2/100 000 women aged 35 to 74 years (95%CI: 22.8-133.7) for BC and 38.5/100 000 adults aged 35 to 74 years (95%CI: 15.3-96.8) for CRC.CONCLUSIONS: Besides guaranteeing universal access to screening programs, it is important to evaluate family history of cancer to identify patients with increased risk, who require specific early detection and surveillance algorithms.

Influence of food patterns on endothelial biomarkers: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association of food patterns (FPs) and endothelial biomarkers. An electronic literature search from 1990 to 2012 was conducted and reference lists and experts were consulted. Studies without dietary intervention and without language restrictions were considered. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were employed. Methodological quality was assessed by Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. A total of 546 references were identified, of which 8 were finally included. Several FPs were identified. Healthy FPs (abundant in fruits and vegetables) had a beneficial impact on endothelial function as estimated by circulating levels of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1, and E-selectin molecules. Westernized patterns (higher intakes of processed meats, sweets, fried foods, and refined grains) were positively associated with inflammation molecules and atherogenic promoters. The study of FPs in relation to endothelial function contributes to the development of dietary recommendations for improved cardiovascular health and therefore a better lifestyle.

Detection and follow-up of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in the Southern Cone of Latin America: the CESCAS I study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are increasing throughout the world and cause 16.7 million deaths each year, 80% of which occur in low and middle income countries. In Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, the available data on cardiovascular risk factors come predominantly from cross-sectional studies that are principally based on self-report or studies conducted with small convenience samples. The CESCAS I study will generate reliable estimates of the prevalence and distribution of and secular trends in CVD and its risk factors in this region. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: CESCAS I is an observational prospective cohort study with a multistage probabilistic sample of 8000 participants aged 35-74 years from four mid-sized cities representing the Southern Cone of Latin America: Bariloche and Marcos Paz in Argentina, Temuco in Chile and Pando-Barros Blancos in Uruguay. In the first phase, baseline data regarding exposure to risk factors and prevalence of CVD will be collected in two stages: (1) in homes and (2) in health centres. Information will be gathered on medical history, risk factors, lifestyles and health utilisation through specific questionnaires, physical measurements, an ECG and an overnight, fasting blood sample to measure levels of serum lipids, glucose and creatinine. In the second phase, annual follow-up data will be obtained on the incidence rate of CVD events and the association between exposure and events. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has obtained formal ethics approval from institutional review boards in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and the USA. The lack of follow-up studies has prevented Argentina, Chile and Uruguay from implementing risk factor stratification and management strategies at a population level. However, the CESCAS I study data will help the development of public health strategies based on primary care intervention, thus helping to improve cardiovascular health in this region.