Prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is a priority in low- and middle-income countries, especially in South Asia where these are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The metabolic syndrome is a tool to identify cardiometabolic risk, but the validity of the metabolic syndrome as a clinical construct is debated. This study tested the existence of the metabolic syndrome, explored alternative cardiometabolic risk characterisations, and examined genetic and environmental factors in a South Asian population sample.

Previous studies have shown associations between major depression and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Few studies have considered the extent to which shared genetic and environmental factors contribute to this association, nor have they considered the relationship outside of European populations. We examined the association between CRP levels and depression and their aetiology in a Sri Lankan population.

Anxiety not only concerns mental wellbeing but also negatively impacts other areas of health. Yet, there is limited research on (a) the genetic and environmental aetiology of such relationships; (b) sex differences in aetiology and (c) non-European samples. In this study, we investigated the genetic and environmental variation and covariation of anxiety symptoms and eight components of health-related quality of life (QoL), as measured by the short form health survey (SF-36), using genetic twin model fitting analysis.

Biobanks are a valuable resource for creating advancements in science through cutting-edge omics research. Twin research methods allow us to understand the degree to which genetics and environmental factors contribute to health outcomes.

We investigated the heritability of educational attainment and how it differed between birth cohorts and cultural–geographic regions. A classical twin design was applied to pooled data from 28 cohorts representing 16 countries and including 193,518 twins with information on educational attainment at 25 years of age or older.

Kan, Carol MRCPsych, PhD; Jayaweera, Kaushalya MD; Adikari, Anushka MD; Siribaddana, Sisira FRCP; Zavos, Helena M.S. PhD; Harber-Aschan, Lisa PhD; Sumathipala, Athula PhD; Hotopf, Matthew PhD, FRCPsych; Ismail, Khalida MRCPsych, PhD; Rijsdijk, Frühling PhD Psychosomatic Medicine  Volume 82 – Issue 2 doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000771 Abstract Objective  Results from twin studies examining the genetic overlap between type 2 diabetes […]

Life events have been associated with a variety of mental health conditions including depression. There is a scarcity of research in South Asia exploring the aetiology of independent and dependent life events and their relationship with depression symptoms. This study aimed, in a Sri Lankan population, to identify the socio-demographic correlates and genetic and environmental influences on independent and dependent life events and their relationship with depression.

Worldwide, 10%–20% of children and adolescents experience mental health conditions. However, most such disorders remain undiagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. Little is known about the factors that influence mental health in children and adolescents, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where environmental threats, such as poverty and war, may affect optimal neurodevelopment.

This study investigated the genetic and environmental contributions to emotional overeating (EOE) and depressive symptoms, and their covariation, in a Sri-Lankan population, using genetic model-fitting analysis. In total, 3957 twins and singletons in the Colombo Twin and Singleton Study-Phase 2 rated their EOE behaviour and depressive symptoms, which were significantly associated (men: r = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.16, women: r = 0.12, 95% CI 0.07–0.16)

Describe sleep duration in adult Sri Lankans and determine the bias and agreement of self-report and actigraphic assessments.