Epidemiological investigations of circulating biomarkers for cardiometabolic diseases

Thesis event information

Date and time of the thesis defence

Place of the thesis defence

Faculty of Medicine, Auditorium F202 (Aapistie 5B)

Topic of the dissertation

Epidemiological investigations of circulating biomarkers for cardiometabolic diseases

Doctoral candidate

Master of Science Marita Kalaoja

Faculty and unit

University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Population Health

Subject of study

Epidemiology

Opponent

Professor Minna Kaikkonen-Määttä, University of Eastern Finland

Custos

Professor Johannes Kettunen, University of Oulu

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New insights into the metabolic and inflammatory markers related to cardiometabolic diseases

The present thesis investigated metabolic changes associated with cardiometabolic diseases, specifically with stroke and coronary artery disease. Furthermore, the thesis focused on the role of obesity and inflammatory markers in various diseases. The results show wide-ranging metabolic changes related to the risk of stroke. Additionally, nine new metabolic markers were identified to be associated with 10-year mortality risk among individuals with coronary artery disease. In addition, three obesity-associated inflammatory markers were found, but only weak connection between the three markers and different diseases were seen.

The metabolic changes related to stroke and coronary artery disease were studied using comprehensive blood analysis that can measure over 200 metabolic measures from a single blood test. Genotype data and measures of over 40 inflammatory markers were used to investigate the connections between obesity, inflammation and various diseases.

Cardiometabolic diseases are leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide as well as in Finland. Aging population and increasing obesity rates predispose growing number of individuals to these diseases which further creates a major burden for health care systems. More detailed understanding of the molecular changes associated with cardiometabolic diseases can help in developing new treatments and preventive methods. Furthermore, studying the discrepancies of metabolic profiles in individuals who already have a cardiometabolic disease can open new ways to predict mortality risk or detect future adverse events earlier.
Last updated: 23.1.2024