Clinical Research Directory

Stress Reactivity and Mother-Infant Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Prenatal Mindfulness training (MT) shows promise as a preventive intervention against hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and may reduce risk for offspring cardiovascular disease (CVD). One proposed mechanism of MT to reduced CVD risk is improved self-regulation following stress. Perhaps the most crucial contributor to the development of self-regulation in the first year is the psychophysiological coregulatory relationship between mother and infant. However, this self-and co-regulation among women exposed to prenatal MT has not been studied and has yet to be examined in relation to CVD risk. The goal of this proposed project is to evaluate maternal-infant physiological reactivity to and recovery from stress at 6 months postpartum following prenatal MT, and to examine the relationship between these maternal infant stress responses and maternal-infant CVD risk at 12 months postpartum. Using a lab-based stress paradigm and well-validated biomarkers of mother and infant CVD risk, the investigators will assess respiratory sinus arrhythmia and heart rate at 6 months postpartum for 40 mother-infant dyads who have completed either prenatal MT or a usual care arm of an RCT examining MT for women at risk for HDP. The investigators will compare maternal, infant, and dyadic stress responses by treatment arm. Then, cardiac stress responses will be examined as predictors of maternal and infant biomarkers of CVD risk at 12 months postpartum.

Circulating Vascular Regenerative Cell Exhaustion in Individuals Without Type 2 Diabetes Who Are of South Asian or European Origins

ORIGINS-VRCE-2 is an observational study aimed to assess how blood vessel forming stem cells from individuals without diabetes or a history of cardiovascular disease differ between individuals of South Asian and European ethnicities. The overarching objective of the study is to investigate whether differential vessel reparative stem cell populations and characteristics may underlie the elevated cardiovascular risk observed among South Asian individuals compared to individuals of European origins.

The Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Cardiovascular Events in Saudi Arabia Now and Future

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major global health challenges with significant morbidity and mortality. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of CVD and T2DM is increasing. This poses a significant burden on the healthcare system. Despite extensive global research, there remains a lack of comprehensive studies examining the combined impact of CVD and T2DM in the Saudi population, particularly in the Western region. Objectives: The primary objectives of the study are: (1) quantify the incidence and mortality rates of CVD and T2DM across various demographics in the Western region of Saudi Arabia; (2) analyse the demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors contributing to cardiovascular risk in individuals with both conditions; (3) understand the influence of cultural, social, and religious beliefs on health behaviours related to CVD and T2DM using social media and survey data; (4) develop a predictive model for forecasting future cardiovascular events in the Saudi population; and (5) evaluate the impact of the ICD11 classification of CVD. Methodology: The project will include team of experts from King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Madinah, Taibah University, Islamic University of Madinah, University of Prince Mugrin, and King's College University, London. We will work under four workstreams (WS) which are: WS 1: This group will supervise the data collection, analysis and ensure efficient running of the project. WS 2: In year 1, retrospective data will be collected on the service needs, long term outcomes, and mortality of patients with CVD and T2DM, CVD only, T2DM only, and neither. Between Year 1 to 5, we will collect data prospectively using the new ICD-11 criteria. Both, retrospective and prospective data will be used to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) based predictive model. WS 3: Social media survey will be undertaken to understand health beliefs and behaviours influencing health related outcome to CVD and T2DM. WS 4: Undertake economic analyses into long-term resource utilisation and cost of care for CVD and T2DM. Expected Outcomes: The study is expected to provide a detailed incidence and all-cause mortality CVD and T2DM in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. This will help in identifying risk factors and predictive for CVD and understand health beliefs and behaviours in Saudi Arabia. The data will help in developing policies, guidelines and awareness programmes in collaboration with policy makers. In conclusion, this study will impact by improving epidemiological knowledge and understanding of CVD and T2DM in Saudi Arabia. The project will support the overall mission of Saudi Vision 2030 with regard to increasing the health and well-being of the population.