Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.
The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases. NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Each year, 17 million people die from an NCDs before age 70.
In previous studies, it is well-known that chronic diseases are the result of a long-term combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, physiological conditions, and behavior patterns, which could further affect the prognosis of chronic diseases NCDs. Previous studies have made some efforts on risk factors, early diagnosis, or prognosis of chronic diseases, but results are often different and warrant further investigation in large cohorts such as the UK Biobank!
Therefore, this study aims to integrate comprehensive data, such as genetic, environmental, behavioral factors, laboratory indicators, imaging data, and omics data, to discover potential risk factors contributing to the onset and development of chronic diseases, and fit optimal models to show which factors could improve risk prediction, be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis or survival assessment, and what mechanisms may explain these effects. In addition, we believe genetic variation may explain the relationship between exposed factors and NCDs. Using Mendelian Randomization, we’ll examine if there’s a causal link.
We intend to carry out our research with a three-year duration.
The expected outcome is to fill gaps in existing research through comprehensive studies, to provide new and stronger scientific evidence for chronic NCDs prevention, and health management, and to inform policies and interventions that aim to promote health equity and reduce the burden of NCDs.