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Item A feasibility study investigating the risk of prediabetes among children in New Zealand(Springer Nature Limited, 2025-08-26) Tupai-Firestone R; Cheng S; Corbin M; Lerwill N; Pulu T; Latu L; Dunn H; Pulu V; Firestone J; Fuge K; Tapu-Ta’ala S; Gokhale P; Matheson A; Read D; Borman B; Henry A; Krebs J; Samoa R; Kingi TK; Aitaoto NPrediabetes is a non-communicable disease (NCD) that is common in New Zealand (NZ), and it can lead to poor health. The aim of this study was to identify whether there is an increased risk of developing prediabetes among 11–13-year-olds, outside an organised screening programme. Consenting school aged children and their parents completed a series of screening questionnaires including dietary patterns, anthropometrics and socio-economic characteristics. Adapted Australasian Paediatric Endocrinology Guidelines (APEG) criterion was used to identify children at risk of developing prediabetes or have new onset prediabetes. Of the 276 participants, significant differences between Pacific, Māori and non- Māori non-Pacific children were evident among those who: were obese (BMI > 95th percentile); lived in overcrowded homes and in deprived areas. In our study, a large proportion of children (35%) were at risk of developing prediabetes. From our dietary analyses, we identified two distinct dietary patterns from among the children: (1) a diverse diet that included a wide range of foods, but was particularly high in sweet and savoury snacks, takeaway foods, and sugary drinks; and (2) a predominantly vegetarian diet rich in legumes. The study prevalence of prediabetes risk is indicative of childhood lifestyles, and we recommend early screening and better resourcing for promotion of healthy nutrition as preventative measures.Item Antibiotic Use In Utero and Early Life and Risk of Chronic Childhood Conditions in New Zealand: Protocol for a Data Linkage Retrospective Cohort Study(JMIR Publications, 2025-02-28) Ram S; Corbin M; 't Mannetje A; Eng A; Kvalsig A; Baker M; Douwes JBackground: The incidence of many common chronic childhood conditions has increased globally in the past few decades, which has been suggested to be potentially attributed to antibiotic overuse leading to dysbiosis in the gut microbiome. Objective: This linkage study will assess the role of antibiotic use in utero and in early life in the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D), attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: The study design involves several retrospective cohort studies using linked administrative health and social data from Statistics New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure. It uses data from all children who were born in New Zealand between October 2005 and December 2010 (N=334,204) and their mothers. Children’s antibiotic use is identified for 4 time periods (at pregnancy, at ≤1 year, at ≤2 years, and at ≤5 years), and the development of T1D, ADHD, and inflammatory bowel disease is measured from the end of the antibiotic use periods until death, emigration, or the end of the follow-up period (2021), whichever came first. Children who emigrated or died before the end of the antibiotic use period are excluded. Cox proportional hazards regression models are used while adjusting for a range of potential confounders. Results: As of September 2024, data linkage has been completed, involving the integration of antibiotic exposure and outcome variables for 315,789 children. Preliminary analyses show that both prenatal and early life antibiotic consumption is associated with T1D. Full analyses for all 3 outcomes will be completed by the end of 2025. Conclusions: This series of linked cohort studies using detailed, complete, and systematically collected antibiotic prescription data will provide critical new knowledge regarding the role of antibiotics in the development of common chronic childhood conditions. Thus, this study has the potential to contribute to the development of primary prevention strategies through, for example, targeted changes in antibiotic use.Item Dietary Fibre Intake, Adiposity, and Metabolic Disease Risk in Pacific and New Zealand European Women(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-10-07) Renall N; Merz B; Douwes J; Corbin M; Slater J; Tannock GW; Firestone R; Kruger R; Te Morenga L; Brownlee IA; Feraco A; Armani ABACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To assess associations between dietary fibre intake, adiposity, and odds of metabolic syndrome in Pacific and New Zealand European women. METHODS: Pacific (n = 126) and New Zealand European (NZ European; n = 161) women (18-45 years) were recruited based on normal (18-24.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2) BMIs. Body fat percentage (BF%), measured using whole body DXA, was subsequently used to stratify participants into low (<35%) or high (≥35%) BF% groups. Habitual dietary intake was calculated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method, involving a five-day food record and semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood was analysed for glucose and lipid profile. Metabolic syndrome was assessed with a harmonized definition. RESULTS: NZ European women in both the low- and high-BF% groups were older, less socioeconomically deprived, and consumed more dietary fibre (low-BF%: median 23.7 g/day [25-75-percentile, 20.1, 29.9]; high-BF%: 20.9 [19.4, 24.9]) than Pacific women (18.8 [15.6, 22.1]; and 17.8 [15.0, 20.8]; both p < 0.001). The main source of fibre was discretionary fast foods for Pacific women and whole grain breads and cereals for NZ European women. A regression analysis controlling for age, socioeconomic deprivation, ethnicity, energy intake, protein, fat, and total carbohydrate intake showed an inverse association between higher fibre intake and BF% (β= -0.47, 95% CI = -0.62, -0.31, p < 0.001), and odds of metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84, 0.98, p = 0.010) among both Pacific and NZ European women (results shown for both groups combined). CONCLUSIONS: Low dietary fibre intake was associated with increased metabolic disease risk. Pacific women had lower fibre intakes than NZ European women.Item The fecal microbiotas of women of Pacific and New Zealand European ethnicities are characterized by distinctive enterotypes that reflect dietary intakes and fecal water content.(Taylor and Francis Groups, 2023-02-17) Renall N; Lawley B; Vatanen T; Merz B; Douwes J; Corbin M; Te Morenga L; Kruger R; Breier BH; Tannock GWObesity is a complex, multifactorial condition that is an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While prevention and management require a healthy and energy balanced diet and adequate physical activity, the taxonomic composition and functional attributes of the colonic microbiota may have a supplementary role in the development of obesity. The taxonomic composition and metabolic capacity of the fecal microbiota of 286 women, resident in Auckland New Zealand, was determined by metagenomic analysis. Associations with BMI (obese, nonobese), body fat composition, and ethnicity (Pacific, n = 125; NZ European women [NZE], n = 161) were assessed using regression analyses. The fecal microbiotas were characterized by the presence of three distinctive enterotypes, with enterotype 1 represented in both Pacific and NZE women (39 and 61%, respectively), enterotype 2 mainly in Pacific women (84 and 16%) and enterotype 3 mainly in NZE women (13 and 87%). Enterotype 1 was characterized mainly by the relative abundances of butyrate producing species, Eubacterium rectale and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, enterotype 2 by the relative abundances of lactic acid producing species, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus ruminis, and enterotype 3 by the relative abundances of Subdoligranulum sp., Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruminococcus bromii, and Methanobrevibacter smithii. Enterotypes were also associated with BMI, visceral fat %, and blood cholesterol. Habitual food group intake was estimated using a 5 day nonconsecutive estimated food record and a 30 day, 220 item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Higher intake of 'egg' and 'dairy' products was associated with enterotype 3, whereas 'non-starchy vegetables', 'nuts and seeds' and 'plant-based fats' were positively associated with enterotype 1. In contrast, these same food groups were inversely associated with enterotype 2. Fecal water content, as a proxy for stool consistency/colonic transit time, was associated with microbiota taxonomic composition and gene pools reflective of particular bacterial biochemical pathways. The fecal microbiotas of women of Pacific and New Zealand European ethnicities are characterized by distinctive enterotypes, most likely due to differential dietary intake and fecal consistency/colonic transit time. These parameters need to be considered in future analyses of human fecal microbiotas.Item Occupational Exposures and Ischaemic Heart Disease: Results from The Entire New Zealand Population(Swansea University, 7/12/2020) Eng A; Corbin M; Denison H; Barnes L; t'Mannetje A; McLean D; Laird I; Douwes JIntroduction Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a leading cause of death in Western countries. Common occupational exposures such as loud noise, long working hours, and sedentary work have been associated with increased IHD risks, but inconsistently. Objectives and Approach This study examines associations between incident IHD and exposure to long working hours, sedentary work, and loud noise. Individual-level microdata from Statistics New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) were extracted for adults (age 20-64 years) with occupation recorded on the 2013 Census. The number of working hours was extracted from the Census, and exposure to sedentary work and loud noise was assessed through job exposure matrices (JEMs). IHD events (from 2013 to end of 2018) were identified using hospitalisations, prescriptions and deaths. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using cox regression adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, and smoking. Results were stratified by sex and ethnicity. Results A total of 20,610 IHD cases were identified from 1,594,680 individuals employed at time of Census. Both short (<35) and long (55+) working hours were associated with an increased IHD risk in crude analyses, but effects disappeared after adjustment for age and socioeconomic status. For females, sedentary work (>90% of the time compared to <50%) was associated with a reduced risk (HR(Non-Māori)=0.86, 95%CI=0.75-0.99; HR(Māori)=0.71, 95%CI=0.44-1.14). For males, exposure to the highest noise category (>90dBA) compared to no exposure (<80dBA) was associated with elevated HRs without reaching statistical significance (HR(Non-Māori)=1.12, 95%CI=0.96-1.29; HR(Māori)=1.25, 95%CI=0.89-1.75). For females exposure to the 80-85dBA category compared to no exposure also showed elevated HRs (HR(Non-Māori)=1.14; 95%CI=1.04-1.26; HR(Māori)=1.16; 95%CI=0.93-1.46), but too few females were employed in jobs with the highest noise exposure. Conclusion These preliminary analyses do not support sedentary work or long working hours as IHD risk factors, but do suggest a modest increase in IHD risk associated with occupational exposure to noise.Item The impact of ethnicity on stroke care access and patient outcomes: a New Zealand nationwide observational study(Elsevier Ltd, 2022-03) Thompson SG; Barber PA; Gommans JH; Cadilhac DA; Davis A; Fink JN; Harwood M; Levack W; McNaughton H; Feigin VL; Abernethy V; Girvan J; Denison H; Corbin M; Wilson A; Douwes J; Ranta ABACKGROUND: Ethnic inequities in stroke care access have been reported internationally but the impact on outcomes remains unclear. In New Zealand, data on ethnic stroke inequities and resultant effects on outcomes are generally limited and conflicting. METHODS: In a prospective, nationwide, multi-centre observational study, we recruited consecutive adult patients with confirmed stroke from 28 hospitals between 1 May and 31 October 2018. Patient outcomes: favourable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-2); quality of life (EQ-5D-3L); stroke/vascular events; and death at three, six and 12 months. Process measures: access to reperfusion therapies, stroke-units, investigations, secondary prevention, rehabilitation. Multivariate regression analyses assessed associations between ethnicity and outcomes and process measures. FINDINGS: The cohort comprised 2,379 patients (median age 78 (IQR 66-85); 51·2% male; 76·7% European, 11·5% Māori, 4·8% Pacific peoples, 4·8% Asian). Non-Europeans were younger, had more risk factors, had reduced access to acute stroke units (aOR=0·78, 95%CI, 0·60-0·97), and were less likely to receive a swallow screen within 24 hours of arrival (aOR=0·72, 0·53-0·99) or MRI imaging (OR=0·66, 0·52-0·85). Māori were less frequently prescribed anticoagulants (OR=0·68, 0·47-0·98). Pacific peoples received greater risk factor counselling. Fewer non-Europeans had a favourable mRS score at three (aOR=0·67, 0·47-0·96), six (aOR=0·63, 0·40-0·98) and 12 months (aOR=0·56, 0·36-0·88), and more Māori had died by 12 months (aOR=1·76, 1·07-2·89). INTERPRETATION: Non-Europeans, especially Māori, had poorer access to key stroke interventions and experience poorer outcomes. Further optimisation of stroke care targeting high-priority populations are needed to achieve equity. FUNDING: New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC17/037).Item Reducing ethnic and geographic inequities to optimise New Zealand stroke care (REGIONS Care): Protocol for a nationwide observational study(JMIR Publications, 12/01/2021) Ranta A; Thompson S; Harwood MLN; Cadilhac DA-M; Barber PA; Davis AJ; Gommans JH; Fink JN; McNaughton HK; Denison H; Corbin M; Feigin V; Abernethy V; Levack W; Douwes J; Girvan J; Wilson A; Derrick, TBackground: Stroke systems of care differ between larger urban and smaller rural settings and it is unclear to what extent this may impact on patient outcomes. Ethnicity influences stroke risk factors and care delivery as well as patient outcomes in nonstroke settings. Little is known about the impact of ethnicity on poststroke care, especially in Māori and Pacific populations. Objective: Our goal is to describe the protocol for the Reducing Ethnic and Geographic Inequities to Optimise New Zealand Stroke Care (REGIONS Care) study. Methods: This large, nationwide observational study assesses the impact of rurality and ethnicity on best practice stroke care access and outcomes involving all 28 New Zealand hospitals caring for stroke patients, by capturing every stroke patient admitted to hospital during the 2017-2018 study period. In addition, it explores current access barriers through consumer focus groups and consumer, carer, clinician, manager, and policy-maker surveys. It also assesses the economic impact of care provided at different types of hospitals and to patients of different ethnicities and explores the cost-efficacy of individual interventions and care bundles. Finally, it compares manual data collection to routine health administrative data and explores the feasibility of developing outcome models using only administrative data and the cost-efficacy of using additional manually collected registry data. Regarding sample size estimates, in Part 1, Study A, 2400 participants are needed to identify a 10% difference between up to four geographic subgroups at 90% power with an α value of .05 and 10% to 20% loss to follow-up. In Part 1, Study B, a sample of 7645 participants was expected to include an estimated 850 Māori and 419 Pacific patients and to provide over 90% and over 80% power, respectively. Regarding Part 2, 50% of the patient or carer surveys, 40 provider surveys, and 10 focus groups were needed to achieve saturation of themes. The main outcome is the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include mRS scores; EQ-5D-3L (5-dimension, 3-level EuroQol questionnaire) scores; stroke recurrence; vascular events; death; readmission at 3, 6, and 12 months; cost of care; and themes around access barriers. Results: The study is underway, with national and institutional ethics approvals in place. A total of 2379 patients have been recruited for Part 1, Study A; 6837 patients have been recruited for Part 1, Study B; 10 focus groups have been conducted and 70 surveys have been completed in Part 2. Data collection has essentially been completed, including follow-up assessment; however, primary and secondary analyses, data linkage, data validation, and health economics analysis are still underway. Conclusions: The methods of this study may provide the basis for future epidemiological studies that will guide care improvements in other countries and populations. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/25374Item Geographic Disparities in Stroke Outcomes and Service Access: A Prospective Observational Study(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology, 26/07/2022) Thompson SG; Barber PA; Gommans JH; Cadilhac DA; Davis A; Fink JN; Harwood M; Levack W; McNaughton HK; Feigin VL; Abernethy V; Girvan J; Kim J; Denison H; Corbin M; Wilson A; Douwes J; Ranta ABACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: International evidence shows that patients treated at non-urban hospitals experience poorer access to key stroke interventions. Evidence whether this results in poorer outcomes is conflicting and generally based on administrative or voluntary registry data. The aim of this study was to use prospective high-quality comprehensive nationwide patient level data to investigate the association between hospital geography and stroke patient outcomes and access to best practice stroke care in New Zealand. METHODS: This is a prospective, multi-centre, nationally representative observational study involving all 28 New Zealand acute stroke hospitals (18 non-urban), and affiliated rehabilitation and community services. Consecutive adults admitted to the hospital with acute stroke between 1 May and 31 October 2018 were captured. Outcomes included functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) shift analysis), functional independence (mRS scores 0-2), quality of life (EQ5D-3L), stroke/vascular events, and death at 3, 6, and 12 months and proportion accessing thrombolysis, thrombectomy, stroke units, key investigations, secondary prevention, and inpatient/community rehabilitation. Results were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, stroke severity/type, co-morbidities, baseline function, and differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 2,379 patients were eligible (mean (standard deviation) age 75 (13.7); 51.2% male; 1,430 urban; 949 non-urban). Patients treated at non-urban hospitals were more likely to score in a higher mRS category (greater disability) at three (aOR=1.28, 1.07-1.53), six (aOR=1.33, 1.07-1.65) and twelve months (aOR=1.31, 1.06-1.62) and were more likely to have died (aOR=1.57, 1.17-2.12) or experienced recurrent stroke and vascular events at 12 months (aOR=1.94, 1.14-3.29 and aOR=1.65, 1.09-2.52). Fewer non-urban patients received recommended stroke interventions including endovascular thrombectomy (aOR=0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.49), acute stroke unit care (aOR=0.60, 0.49-0.73), antiplatelet prescriptions (aOR=0.72, 0.58-0.88), ≥60 minutes daily physical therapy (aOR=0.55, 0.40-0.77) and community rehabilitation (aOR=0.69, 0.56-0.84). DISCUSSION: Patients managed at non-urban hospitals experience poorer stroke outcomes and reduced access to key stroke interventions across the entire care continuum. Efforts to improve access to high quality stroke care in non-urban hospitals should be a priority.Item A longitudinal linkage study of occupation and ischaemic heart disease in the general and Māori populations of New Zealand(PLOS, 21/01/2022) Barnes LA; Eng A; Corbin M; Denison HJ; 't Mannetje A; Haslett S; McLean D; Ellison-Loschmann L; Jackson R; Douwes JOBJECTIVES: Occupation is a poorly characterised risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with females and indigenous populations under-represented in most research. This study assessed associations between occupation and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in males and females of the general and Māori (indigenous people of NZ) populations of New Zealand (NZ). METHODS: Two surveys of the NZ adult population (NZ Workforce Survey (NZWS); 2004-2006; n = 3003) and of the Māori population (NZWS Māori; 2009-2010; n = 2107) with detailed occupational histories were linked with routinely collected health data and followed-up until December 2018. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for IHD and "ever-worked" in any of the nine major occupational groups or 17 industries. Analyses were controlled for age, deprivation and smoking, and stratified by sex and survey. RESULTS: 'Plant/machine operators and assemblers' and 'elementary occupations' were positively associated with IHD in female Māori (HR 2.2, 95%CI 1.2-4.1 and HR 2.0, 1.1-3.8, respectively) and among NZWS males who had been employed as 'plant/machine operators and assemblers' for 10+ years (HR 1.7, 1.2-2.8). Working in the 'manufacturing' industry was also associated with IHD in NZWS females (HR 1.9, 1.1-3.7), whilst inverse associations were observed for 'technicians and associate professionals' (HR 0.5, 0.3-0.8) in NZWS males. For 'clerks', a positive association was found for NZWS males (HR 1.8, 1.2-2.7), whilst an inverse association was observed for Māori females (HR 0.4, 0.2-0.8). CONCLUSION: Associations with IHD differed significantly across occupational groups and were not consistent across males and females or for Māori and the general population, even within the same occupational groups, suggesting that current knowledge regarding the association between occupation and IHD may not be generalisable across different population groups.Item Ischaemic Heart Disease and Occupational Exposures: A Longitudinal Linkage Study in the General and Māori Populations of New Zealand(Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society, 2022-05) Barnes LA; Eng A; Corbin M; Denison HJ; 't Mannetje A; Haslett S; McLean D; Ellison-Loschmann L; Jackson R; Douwes JOBJECTIVES: This study assessed associations between occupational exposures and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) for males and females in the general and Māori populations (indigenous people of New Zealand). METHODS: Two surveys of the general adult [New Zealand Workforce Survey (NZWS); 2004-2006; n = 3003] and Māori population (Māori NZWS; 2009-2010; n = 2107), with information on occupational exposures, were linked with administrative health data and followed-up until December 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression (adjusted for age, deprivation, and smoking) was used to assess associations between organizational factors, stress, and dust, chemical and physical exposures, and IHD. RESULTS: Dust [hazard ratio (HR) 1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.4], smoke or fumes (HR 1.5, 1.0-2.3), and oils and solvents (HR 1.5, 1.0-2.3) were associated with IHD in NZWS males. A high frequency of awkward or tiring hand positions was associated with IHD in both males and females of the NZWS (HRs 1.8, 1.1-2.8 and 2.4, 1.1-5.0, respectively). Repetitive tasks and working at very high speed were associated with IHD among NZWS females (HRs 3.4, 1.1-10.4 and 2.6, 1.2-5.5, respectively). Māori NZWS females working with vibrating tools and those exposed to a high frequency of loud noise were more likely to experience IHD (HRs 2.3, 1.1-4.8 and 2.1, 1.0-4.4, respectively). Exposure to multiple dust and chemical factors was associated with IHD in the NZWS males, as was exposure to multiple physical factors in males and females of the NZWS. CONCLUSIONS: Exposures associated with an elevated IHD risk included dust, smoke or fumes, oils and solvents, awkward grip or hand movements, carrying out repetitive tasks, working at very high speed, loud noise, and working with tools that vibrate. Results were not consistently observed for males and females and between the general and Māori populations.