New Delhi: US-based Johns Hopkins Medicine International and Apollo hospitals will undertake a collaborative study on the genetic reasons of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Indians.
"The collaborative study will document the risk factors and identify genes that are associated with the premature CVD among Indians," assistant professor, medicines of John Hopkins, Susan J Zieman said on Tuesday.
Zieman said that the study to be undertaken at three Apollo hospitals in Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai would characterise risk factors in Asian Indians who have experienced myocardial infraction at a young age.
"It will also investigate potential genetic variants associated with early onset of myocardial infraction, elevated risk factors and sub clinical CVD," she said, adding that the study will take samples from patients, their siblings and general people.
Speaking to reporters, senior consultant and interventional cardiologist of Apollo, Sunil Modi said, "Indians are 3.8 times more prone to the disease than residents of Singapore, three times more than Fijians, 2.4 times more than people of Trinidad, 1.4 times higher than South Africans and 1.5 times higher than Britishers.”
About eight percent of India's population now suffers from heart diseases.
"The study will take a sample of 1,500 people and conduct over 400 tests before reaching any conclusion. While the base of the study will be India, John Hopkins will provide us the some of the know how and research methodology.
"Of the over 400 tests some of the tests will also be conducted in the US. The clinical trails credibility of Johns Hopkins will definitely make our effort more meaningful," Modi said.
Senior consultant, internal medicine, S K Agarwal said that the study would also look at administering 'polypill' to reduce CVD in the case (patient).
Polypill is a mix of three scheduled drugs - Aspirin, Statin and ECE Inhibitor.
The three drugs are known for their role to reduce blood clot, cholesterol and blood pressure.
"The polypill can be an effective medicine to reduce CVD but for that we will study the effect of the drug in its entirety. If successful the medicine can be used as a cost effective way to control the coronary heart diseases," Zieman said.
In July 2005, Apollo Hospitals had signed an agreement with Johns Hopkins to work joints in areas such as telemedicine, second opinion services, continuing medical education programmes, and participation in clinical trials.
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