Experience sampling methods for the personalised prediction of mental health problems in Spanish university students: protocol for a survey-based observational study within the PROMES-U project.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high prevalence of mental health problems among university students. Better prediction and treatment access for this population is needed. In recent years, short-term dynamic factors, which can be assessed using experience sampling methods (ESM), have presented promising results for predicting mental health problems. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Undergraduate students from five public universities in Spain are recruited to participate in two web-based surveys (at baseline and at 12-month follow-up). A subgroup of baseline participants is recruited through quota sampling to participate in a 15-day ESM study. The baseline survey collects information regarding distal risk factors, while the ESM study collects short-term dynamic factors such as affect, company or environment. Risk factors will be identified at an individual and population level using logistic regressions and population attributable risk proportions, respectively. Machine learning techniques will be used to develop predictive models for mental health problems. Dynamic structural equation modelling and multilevel mixed-effects models will be considered to develop a series of explanatory models for the occurrence of mental health problems. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The project complies with national and international regulations, including the Declaration of Helsinki and the Code of Ethics, and has been approved by the IRB Parc de Salut Mar (2020/9198/I) and corresponding IRBs of all participating universities. All respondents are given information regarding access mental health services within their university and region. Individuals with positive responses on suicide items receive a specific alert with indications for consulting with a health professional. Participants are asked to provide informed consent separately for the web-based surveys and for the ESM study. Dissemination of results will include peer-reviewed scientific articles and participation in scientific congresses, reports with recommendations for universities' mental health policy makers, as well as a well-balanced communication strategy to the general public. STUDY REGISTRATION: osf.io/p7csq.

Consistente asociación del polimorfismo rs7903146 en el gen TCF7L2 con mayor riesgo de diabetes en población mediterránea española / Consistent association of the rs7903146 polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene with a higher risk of diabetes in a Spanish Mediterranean population

Introducción La diabetes tipo 2 (DT2) puede inducir la expresión de moléculas de adhesión celular (ICAM, VCAM) y citocinas (IL-6 y PCR). Posiblemente asociado con dichos mecanismos, el gen transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) ha sido asociado con DT2 en diferentes poblaciones, aunque existen pocos datos en población mediterránea. Nuestro objetivo es estudiar la asociación de dicho gen con la DT2 y marcadores de inflamación en población de alto riesgo cardiovascular. Métodos Se incluyeron 1.001 participantes de alto riesgo cardiovascular del estudio PREDIMED-Valencia. Se determinó la glucemia en ayunas y las concentraciones de lípidos plasmáticos. En una submuestra aleatoria se determinaron las concentraciones de IL-6, PCR, VCAM e ICAM. Se analizó el polimorfismo rs7903146 (C>T) en el gen TCF7L2. Resultados La prevalencia de DT2 fue de 47,4%. La frecuencia de genotipos fue: 38,1% CC, 47,7% CT y 14,3% TT, siendo la frecuencia alélica del alelo T 0,381. Se hallaron diferencias significativas de concentraciones plasmáticas de glucosa según el genotipo (CC: 117,3±37,8; CT: 124,1±41,1; TT: 128,7±45,2mg/dl; p=0,011). Los portadores del alelo T presentan un mayor riesgo de DT2 (OR=1,37; 95%IC: 1,05-1,80; p=0,022) con respecto a individuos CC. El alelo T también se asoció como mayores concentraciones de VCAM (CC: 914,3±355,4; CT: 1.147,0±422,6; TT: 1.258,1±447,3 ng/ml; p=0,001). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para los demás marcadores de inflamación. Conclusión El alelo T del polimorfismo rs7903146 en el gen TCF7L2 se asocia con un mayor riesgo de DT2 en población mediterránea española, siendo consistente con los resultados obtenidos en otras poblaciones europeas (AU)

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) can induce the expression of cell adhesion molecules (ICAM,VCAM) and cytokines (IL-6 and CRP). Possibly related to these mechanisms, the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene has been associated with T2D in distinct populations, but there are few data for the Mediterranean population. Our objective was to study the association of this gene with T2D and inflammation markers in a population at high cardiovascular risk. Methods: We included 1,001 high cardiovascular risk participants in the PREDIMED-Valencia study. Fasting blood glucose and plasma lipid concentrations were determined. Plasma concentrations of IL-6, CRP, VCAM and ICAM were also determined in a random subsample. Thers7903146 (C > T) polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene was analyzed. Results: The prevalence of T2D was 47.4%. The frequency of genotypes was 38.1% for CC,47.7% for CT and 14.3% for TT (the allelic frequency of the T allele was 0.381). We found statistically significant differences in fasting plasma glucose concentrations depending on theTCF7L2 genotype (CC: 117.3±37.8; CT: 124.1±41.1; TT: 128.7±45.2 mg/dl; p = 0.011). Tallele carriers had an increased risk of T2D (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.05-1.80; p = 0.022) compared with CC individuals. The T allele was also associated with higher concentrations of VCAM(CC: 914.3±355.4; CT: 1147.0±422.6; TT: 1258.1±447.3 ng/ml; p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found for the other markers of inflammation. Conclusion: Consistent with the results obtained in other European populations, this study found that the T allele of the rs7903146 polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene is associated with an increased risk of T2D in a Mediterranean Spanish population (AU)