Suchergebnisse

ObjectivesThe overarching aim is to extend understanding of Covid-19 and non Covid-19 mortality during the pandemic. For the first two waves of the pandemic in Northern Ireland, the study addressed evidence gaps for both Covid-19 and non Covid-19 deaths in relation to equality group, health and socio-demographic characteristics.
ApproachPrior to this research, mortality analyses in Northern Ireland during the pandemic had been largely based on information recorded on death certificates and information gaps remained. This research linked death records to extensive socio-demographic, health and equality group information, retrieved from the 2011 Census, providing a more comprehensive assessment of mortality.
The research approach demonstrated innovative use of linked datasets in support of public policy. Findings also complement similar analysis published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Research questions were shaped and informed by information queries from a range of stakeholders including the Department of Health and elected officials.
ResultsResults published to date are based on Covid-19 and non Covid-19 deaths occurring in the 7-month period between 1st March 2020 and 30th September 2020. We found that there was a 48% and 40% higher risk for persons self-reporting having a disability at the time of the 2011 Census (compared to 'non-disabled' people) for Covid-19 and non Covid-19 mortality respectively. After accounting for differences in age, sex and area of residence, there was no significant difference in risk of Covid-19 death, for the time period March to September 2020, for those who identified as Catholic at the time of the 2011 Census, compared to Protestants and other Christians.
ConclusionThe research addresses priority evidence gaps identified by government officials and third sector policy leads. The depth of commentary provided within the report is enabling researchers and policy makers to gain greater familiarity with a key research resource. This will be instrumental in shaping future research through ADR Northern Ireland.

Background: DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus has been repeatedly associated with exposure to smoking from the foetal period onwards. We explored whether DNA methylation may be a mechanism that links exposure to maternal prenatal smoking with offspring's adult cardio-metabolic health. Methods: We meta-analysed the association between DNA methylation at GFI1-locus with maternal prenatal smoking, adult own smoking, and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in 22 population-based studies from Europe, Australia, and USA (n= 18,212). DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus was measured in whole-blood. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine its association with exposure to prenatal and own adult smoking. DNA methylation levels were analysed in relation to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose (FG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), diastolic, and systolic blood pressure (BP). Findings: Lower DNA methylation at three out of eight GFI1-CpGs was associated with exposure to maternal prenatal smoking, whereas, all eight CpGs were associated with adult own smoking. Lower DNA methylation at cg14179389, the strongest maternal prenatal smoking locus, was associated with increased WC and BP when adjusted for sex, age, and adult smoking with Bonferroni-corrected P <0.012. In contrast, lower DNA methylation at cg09935388, the strongest adult own smoking locus, was associated with decreased BMI, WC, and BP (adjusted 1 x 10(-7) Interpretation: Epigenetic changes at the GFI1 were linked to smoking exposure in-utero/in-adulthood and robustly associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Fund: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 633595 DynaHEALTH. (c) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Background: DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus has been repeatedly associated with exposure to smoking from the foetal period onwards. We explored whether DNA methylation may be a mechanism that links exposure to maternal prenatal smoking with offspring's adult cardio-metabolic health. Methods: We meta-analysed the association between DNA methylation at GFI1-locus with maternal prenatal smoking, adult own smoking, and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in 22 population-based studies from Europe, Australia, and USA (n= 18,212). DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus was measured in whole-blood. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine its association with exposure to prenatal and own adult smoking. DNA methylation levels were analysed in relation to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose (FG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), diastolic, and systolic blood pressure (BP). Findings: Lower DNA methylation at three out of eight GFI1-CpGs was associated with exposure to maternal prenatal smoking, whereas, all eight CpGs were associated with adult own smoking. Lower DNA methylation at cg14179389, the strongest maternal prenatal smoking locus, was associated with increased WC and BP when adjusted for sex, age, and adult smoking with Bonferroni-corrected P <0.012. In contrast, lower DNA methylation at cg09935388, the strongest adult own smoking locus, was associated with decreased BMI, WC, and BP (adjusted 1 x 10(-7) Interpretation: Epigenetic changes at the GFI1 were linked to smoking exposure in-utero/in-adulthood and robustly associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Fund: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 633595 DynaHEALTH. (c) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Background:DNA methylation at theGFI1-locus has been repeatedly associated with exposure to smoking fromthe foetal period onwards. We explored whether DNA methylation may be a mechanism that links exposure tomaternal prenatal smoking with offspring's adult cardio-metabolic health.Methods:We meta-analysed the association between DNA methylation atGFI1-locus with maternal prenatalsmoking, adult own smoking, and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in 22 population-based studies from Europe,Australia, and USA (n= 18,212). DNA methylation at theGFI1-locus was measured in whole-blood. Multivari-able regression models werefitted to examine its association with exposure to prenatal and own adult smoking.DNA methylation levels were analysed in relation to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fastingglucose (FG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL—C), triglycerides (TG), diastolic, and systolic blood pres-sure (BP).Findings:Lower DNA methylation at three out of eightGFI1-CpGs was associated with exposure to maternal pre-natal smoking, whereas, all eight CpGs were associated with adult own smoking. Lower DNA methylation atcg14179389, the strongest maternal prenatal smoking locus, was associated with increased WC and BP when ad-justed for sex, age, and adult smoking with Bonferroni-correctedPb0·012. In contrast, lower DNA methylationatcg09935388,thestrongest adultownsmokinglocus, wasassociated with decreasedBMI, WC,and BP (adjusted1×10−7bPb0.01). Similarly, lower DNA methylation at cg12876356, cg18316974, cg09662411, andcg18146737 was associated with decreased BMI and WC (5 × 10−8bPb0.001). Lower DNA methylation at allthe CpGs was consistently associated with higher TG levels.Interpretation:Epigenetic changes at theGFI1were linked to smoking exposurein-utero/in-adulthood and ro-bustly associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors.Fund:European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 633595DynaHEALTH.

Background: DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus has been repeatedly associated with exposure to smoking from the foetal period onwards. We explored whether DNA methylation may be a mechanism that links exposure to maternal prenatal smoking with offspring's adult cardio-metabolic health. Methods: We meta-analysed the association between DNA methylation at GFI1-locus with maternal prenatal smoking, adult own smoking, and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in 22 population-based studies from Europe, Australia, and USA (n= 18,212). DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus was measured in whole-blood. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine its association with exposure to prenatal and own adult smoking. DNA methylation levels were analysed in relation to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose (FG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), diastolic, and systolic blood pressure (BP). Findings: Lower DNA methylation at three out of eight GFI1-CpGs was associated with exposure to maternal prenatal smoking, whereas, all eight CpGs were associated with adult own smoking. Lower DNA methylation at cg14179389, the strongest maternal prenatal smoking locus, was associated with increased WC and BP when adjusted for sex, age, and adult smoking with Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.012. In contrast, lower DNA methylation at cg09935388, the strongest adult own smoking locus, was associated with decreased BMI, WC, and BP (adjusted 1 x 10(-7) < P < 0.01). Similarly, lower DNA methylation at cg12876356, cg18316974, cg09662411, and cg18146737 was associated with decreased BMI and WC (5 x 10(-8) < P < 0.001). Lower DNA methylation at all the CpGs was consistently associated with higher TG levels. Interpretation: Epigenetic changes at the GFI1 were linked to smoking exposure in-utero/in-adulthood and robustly associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Fund: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 633595 DynaHEALTH.