Malaria, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Investigating the Double Burden of Diseases in Cameroon

Malaria is a major global health problem affecting approximately 241 million people and causing more than 600 thousand deaths, according to the latest WHO estimates. In parallel non-communicable life style diseases increase globally, also in malaria-endemic areas. Surprisingly few studies have investigated possible associations between malaria and non-communicable diseases. Higher prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection has been shown among individuals with type 2 diabetes in Ghana and the risk of malaria increased with poor glucose control. In a recent study on more than 900 adults with P. falciparum malaria in Sweden, comorbidities and especially diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity were associated with a 3-5 times increased risk of severe malaria . Interestingly, these associations were apparent also in African immigrants, a group otherwise recognized to be at reduced risk of severe malaria due to pre-existing immunity. Altered metabolism and chronic inflammatory state in individuals with obesity and diabetes might affect severe progression of malaria. Moreover, poor antibody responses have been observed in obese individuals vaccinated against viral and bacterial infections; and impaired antibody mediated immunity might also affect the risk of malaria.

The overall aim of this project is to investigate whether diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome affects the risk of severe malaria in an endemic setting.

The study will be performed at the District Hospital Dschang and the Bafoussam Regional Hospital in Western Cameroon. Adults diagnosed with malaria at the two hospitals, both at the outpatient clinic and admitted to the hospital wards, will be invited to participate in the study. Informed consent is needed for inclusion. The participants will be clinically evaluated for diabetes and the metabolic syndrome according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. In addition to lab parameters below, weight and height will be measured for body mass index (BMI). Severe malaria will be defined according to WHO criteria.

Malaria species and parasite density will be assessed by microscopy of blood films stained with Giemsa. Clinical chemistry will include a fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c), lipids, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), liver enzymes, bilirubin, creatinine and haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell will be assessed. HIV test will be offered to all patients. For patients admitted to hospital, fasting plasma glucose, parasitaemia and insulin levels will be measured on a daily basis. Venous EDTA blood sample will be collected at admission and stored frozen as plasma and packed cells for later PCR confirmation.