International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 6

G6PD Variants, Malaria and Sensorineural Hearing Loss in São Tomé and Príncipe: A Case-Control Study

  • Author:
  • Caroça Cristina1,2,3,, Campelo Paula2, Caria Helena4,5, Paço João1,2, N Silva Susana3
  • Total Page Count: 9
  • Page Number: 8 to 16

1Otolaryngology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, NOVA Medical School/Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, Lisboa, Portugal

2Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Avenida Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal

3Genetics, Oncology and Human Toxicology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, Lisboa, Portugal

4BioISI-Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Science of the University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

5ESS/IPS, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal

*Corresponding e-mail: cristina.caroca@jmellosaude.pt

Online published on 23 November, 2018.

Abstract

São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) is a least developed country (LDC) on Sub-Saharan Africa, in which was detected a high prevalence of sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). HL is a common condition with both genetic and environmental causes, and it greatly impacts on global health. STP population has leading with additional health problems over the years, such as anaemia and malaria infection. The present study aims to identify the correlation between the most prevalent G6PD variants and the high prevalence of HL in STP population.

A sample of 316 individuals collected during Humanitarian Missions in STP, was retrospectively studied in a case-control approach to evaluate the role of G6PD gene variants in individual susceptibility to HL and it correlation with other potential risk factors.

The results obtained showed an increased risk for those cases that have reported malaria infection (OR 1.867, CI 95% [1.107–3.48]) in global population. The same effect of increased risk was found after stratification for male gender (OR 3.721 CI 95% [1.631–8.489]).

Our results did not allow us to correlate any specific variant of G6PD gene with HL. However, emphasize the hypothetical correlation between malaria infection and the increased risk for HL.

Keywords

Anaemia, G6PD deficiency, hearing loss, malaria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sub-Saharan Africa