The Newcastle Heart Project consisted of sequential cross sectional studies which compared the prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors in people of Chinese, European and South Asian origin resident in Newcastle upon Tyne. It illustrated the complexity of ethnic group differences, which defy simple explanations, and formed the basis for much subsequent aetiological and preventive work. It received funding from the Barclay Trust, Department of Health and local Hospital Trustees.
Illustrative references:
- Unwin N, Harland J, White M, Bhopal R, Winocour P, Stephenson P, Watson W, Turner C, Alberti KG: Body mass index,
waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and glucose intolerance in Chinese and Europid adults in Newcastle, UK. Journal
of Epidemiology & Community Health 1997, 51(2):160-166
- Bhopal R, Unwin N, White M, Yallop J, Walker L, Alberti KG, Harland J, Patel S, Ahmad N, Turner C et al: Heterogeneity
of coronary heart disease risk factors in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and European origin populations: cross sectional
study. British Medical Journal 1999, 319(7204):215-220
Contact for further information: n.c.unwin@ncl.ac.uk
The IGT Intervention Study was a randomised controlled trial established to determine whether in people with impaired glucose tolerance relatively simple lifestyle interventions, of the type routinely available on the National Health Service, are able to modify the risk of diabetes. The study was run by Dr John Oldroyd. It was funded by the British Heart Foundation.
Illustrative references:
- Oldroyd JC, Unwin NC, White M, Mathers JC, Alberti KG: Randomised controlled trial evaluating lifestyle interventions
in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice 2006,72(2):117-127.
- Oldroyd JC, Unwin NC, White M, Imrie K, Mathers JC, Alberti KG: Randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness
of behavioural interventions to modify cardiovascular risk factors in men and women with impaired glucose tolerance:
outcomes at 6 months. Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice 2001, 52(1):29-43
Contact for further information:n.c.unwin@ncl.ac.uk
CHD modeling
Developing and refining a coronary heart disease mortality model for use in different populations,
include middle income settings (Beijing). This combines data on patient numbers, treatment effectiveness and uptake,
and risk factor trends to estimate the deaths prevented or postponed, and life years gained over a specified time period.
The model has been used in policy analyses e.g. assessing the potential for further risk factor reductions or increases
in treatment uptake to reduce mortality. Planned work includes incorporating other measures of morbidity, quality of life,
further risk factors, and adapting the model for stroke incidence and mortality (collaborator on MRC funded project).
Illustrative references:
- Critchley JA, Liu J, Dong Z, Wei W, Capewell S. Explaining the increase in coronary heart disease mortality in Beijing
between 1984 and 1999. Circulation 2004 110: 1236 - 1244
- Unal B, Critchley JA, Capewell, S. Explaining mortality trends from CHD in England and Wales, 1980-2000.
Circulation 2004; 109: 1101-1107
Contact for further information: julia.critchley@ncl.ac.uk