Exploring the complex associations of internal genetic and external environmental factors with risk/ mortality of chronic diseases.

Exploring the complex associations of internal genetic and external environmental factors with risk/ mortality of chronic diseases.

Lay summary

The relationships between internal genetic factors, external environmental factors and chronic diseases are quite complicated. For example, the pathogenesis and health outcome of diabetes should be dependent on genetic vulnerabilities, nutrition and lifestyles simultaneously. However, most previous studies only consider the impact of an individual factor on health outcomes, which cannot comprehensively explain the effect of internal genetic and external environmental exposures on diseases. The main purpose of this study is to explore the mediation, interaction and joint associations of genetic vulnerabilities, nutrition and lifestyles with risk/mortality of several common chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Our research will provide more evidence on the complex associations among genes, environment, and chronic diseases, findings will also yield evidence-based recommendations for appropriate modifiable measures to reduce risks of chronic diseases, and inform the way we can overcome disease inducing genetic vulnerabilities by lifestyle choices. This study is expected to last for 36 months.