Publications by authors named "S K Akafo"
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for POAG in 11,275 individuals of African ancestry (6,003 cases; 5,272 controls). We detected 46 risk loci associated with POAG at genome-wide significance.
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- The study aimed to assess the thickness of the macular retina and central choroid in a group of Ghanaians and compare these measurements to those of individuals with European and other African ancestries.
- It involved 42 Ghanaians, 37 Europeans, and an additional 1,427 subjects of African ancestry, using OCT scans to gather data on retinal thickness.
- Results showed that Ghanaians' macular retina and central choroid were significantly thinner than those of Europeans, with age and sex also influencing thickness, highlighting that established norms for retinal thickness may not apply to all populations.
Article Synopsis
- - A study was conducted to examine vitreomacular interface abnormalities (VMIA) using SD-OCT in Ghanaian adults aged 50 and older, focusing on their correlation with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) grade.
- - Out of 718 participants, 624 (mainly females) had their eye health assessed, revealing that a majority displayed no posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), while only a small percentage exhibited VMIA.
- - Results indicated that VMIA are prevalent among Africans, but PVD appears less common compared to Caucasians, and there was no significant link found between VMIA and AMD grade.
Article Synopsis
- West African crystalline maculopathy (WACM) features crystal-like deposits in the macula, with a study analyzing its characteristics and possible biological factors among a group of participants with this condition.* -
- The study involved 53 participants, predominantly aged around 68, and utilized various methods including medical histories, exams, and imaging to evaluate the presence and distribution of crystals.* -
- Findings showed WACM in 106 eyes with a notable link to the complement factor H (CFH) 402H genetic variant, while factors such as age and sex showed no significant associations.*
Article Synopsis
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a heritable eye condition leading to blindness and the study involved a large genetic analysis of over 34,000 patients and nearly 350,000 controls from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Researchers identified 44 new genetic risk factors for POAG and confirmed 83 previously known ones, finding consistent impacts across various ancestries.
- The study also suggests that certain genes could play significant roles in the disease's development, indicating potential new drug treatments targeting these genetic risk factors.