"Barbadoes leg": filariasis in Barbados, 1625-1900.
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Barbados↗
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The Barbados Family Planning Association and fertility decline in Barbados.
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Abortion, Illegal↗
Risk factors for open-angle glaucoma. The Barbados Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for open-angle glaucoma among black participants in the Barbados Eye Study. DESIGN: Population-based study of demographic, medical, ocular, familial, and other factors possibly related to open-angle glaucoma. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The Barbados Eye Study included 4709 Barbados residents identified by a simple random sample of Barbadian-born citizens, 40 to 84 years of age; participation was 84%. This report is based on the 4314 black participants examined at the study site; 302 (7%) met the Barbados Eye Study criteria for open-angle glaucoma. DATA COLLECTION: A standardized protocol included applanation tonometry, Humphrey perimetry, fundus photography, blood pressure, anthropometry, and an interview. An ophthalmologic examination was performed for participants who met specific criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Open-angle glaucoma was defined by the presence of both characteristic visual field defects and optic disc damage. Association of open-angle glaucoma with specific factors was evaluated in logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Age, male gender, high intraocular pressure, and family history of open-angle glaucoma were major risk factors; the latter association was stronger in men than women. Lean body mass and cataract history were the only other factors related to open-angle glaucoma. Although hypertension and diabetes were common in Barbados Eye Study participants, they were unrelated to the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma. However, associations were found with low diastolic blood pressure-intraocular pressure differences and low systolic and diastolic blood pressure/intraocular pressure ratios. CONCLUSIONS: In the Barbados Eye Study black population, persons most likely to have open-angle glaucoma were older men and had a family history of open-angle glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, lean body mass, and cataract history. These results suggest the importance of possible genetic or familial factors in open-angle glaucoma. The role of vascular risk factors is consistent with our finding of low blood pressure to intraocular pressure relationships, but the results could be explained by the high intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma.
Adult↗
Leptospiral infection: a household serosurvey in urban and rural communities in Barbados and Trinidad.
A longitudinal study of leptospiral agglutinins in subjects five years of age and over was undertaken in Trinidad and Barbados between 1980 and 1982. Households were sampled randomly from one urban and two rural communities on each island, giving a total of 576 eligible individuals in Barbados and 524 in Trinidad. Participants were examined three times at approximately annual intervals. The prevalence of seropositivity at a titre of 1:50 using the microscopic agglutination test was 18.5% in Barbados and 21.9% in Trinidad. Prevalence increased steeply with age in both sexes and was higher in males than females on both islands. There was a marked difference in predominating serogroups on the two islands--Autumnalis (42% of positive cases) predominated in Barbados while Bataviae (29% of positive cases) predominated in Trinidad. Estimates of incidence rates for seroconversion were 2.9% per annum for Barbados and 3.5% per annum for Trinidad. Occupational risk varied between the islands, but in both cases highest seropositivity rates (greater than 50%) were found in outdoor labourers and lowest were found in indoor non-manual workers and urban homeworkers. In Barbados seroprevalence was higher among persons who cleared drains or who had contact with livestock. Lack of an inside toilet was associated with an increase in seropositivity on both islands. There was little evidence of household clustering of seropositive cases.
Adolescent↗
The Barbados Eye Study. Prevalence of open angle glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the design of the Barbados Eye Study and report on the prevalence of open angle glaucoma (OAG) in a predominantly black study population. DESIGN: Population-based prevalence study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Residents of Barbados, West Indies, identified from a simple random sample of Barbadian-born citizens 40 through 84 years old. DATA COLLECTION: Participants had a comprehensive study visit that included automated perimetry, applanation tonometry, and fundus photography; persons with specific examination findings, as well as a 10% sample of participants, were referred for an ophthalmologic examination and additional tests. OUTCOME: A diagnosis of OAG required both visual field and optic disc criteria for glaucoma damage after excluding other causes. RESULTS: The 4709 participants (83.5% of those eligible) had demographic characteristics that were similar to the census population. Of the 4631 participants who were tested at the study site, 95% completed Humphrey automated perimetry and 97% had photographic or clinical disc gradings; 93% of those referred completed the ophthalmologic examination. In this adult population, the prevalence of OAG by self-reported race was 7.0% (302/4314) in black, 3.3% (6/184) in mixed-race, and 0.8% (1/133) in white or other participants. In black and mixed-race participants, the prevalence reached 12% at age 60 years and older and was higher in men (8.3%) than in women (5.7%), with an age-adjusted male-female ratio of 1.4. In addition, over 3% of the participants were classified as having suspect OAG. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the Barbados Eye Study is the largest glaucoma study ever conducted in a black population and identified more people with OAG than did any previous population study. The prevalence of OAG was high, especially at older ages and in men. Among participants 50 years old or older, one in 11 had OAG, and prevalence increased to one in six at age 70 years or older. The results highlight the public health importance of OAG in the Afro-Caribbean region and have implications for other populations.
Adult↗
Features of age-related macular degeneration in a black population. The Barbados Eye Study Group.
OBJECTIVE: To report on the frequency of features of age-related macular degeneration in a black population based on fundus photograph gradings. DESIGN: Population-based study. SETTING: Barbados, West Indies. STUDY POPULATION: Residents of Barbados, selected by a random sample of Barbados-born citizens, aged 40 to 84 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Gradings from 30 degrees stereoscopic macular photographs. RESULTS: Black participants (n = 3444) completed examinations at the study site and had gradable macular photographs in both eyes. Drusen larger than 63 microns occurred with comparable frequency in men and women. The frequency of small drusen decreased with age, while medium and large drusen were more common in older participants. Frequencies of all age-related macular degeneration-related characteristics were similar for men and women except for small drusen, which occurred more commonly in women. Confluent drusen and pigment atrophy also increased significantly with age. Exudative features occurred in 0.5% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides population-based data on the frequency of features of age-related macular degeneration based on photographic gradings of a black population. Features of early age-related macular degeneration were common, but appeared at a lower frequency than has been reported for white populations. Exudative disease was infrequent, occurring in about one of 200 participants.
Adult↗
Leptospiral infection in school-children from Trinidad and Barbados.
A serological survey for leptospiral agglutinins was undertaken between 1980 and 1983 in over 500 Barbadian and 500 Trinidadian school-children aged 7-14 years. The children were selected randomly from urban and rural schools, and examined three times at approximately annual intervals. A total of 12.5% of the Barbadian children and 9.5% of the Trinidadian children were seropositive at a titre of 50 using the microscopic agglutination test. On both islands, seroprevalence was higher in males than females, the difference being significant in rural schools. There was no evidence of a difference in prevalence between urban and rural schools, or between junior and secondary age-ranges. Analysis of the association of serology with socio-economic and behavioural factors showed a significant association in Trinidad with father's occupation, but most other variables on both islands showed only weak non-significant associations. Fourteen children in Trinidad and three in Barbados seroconverted. Seroconversion in Trinidad occurred at a rate of 1.6% per annum and was significantly associated with livestock contact and with absence of a tapped water supply. In Trinidad, Autumnalis was the most commonly recorded serogroup, but this accounted for less than a quarter of seropositives. In Barbados, Panama accounted for over half the seropositives and was about four times more common than the next most common serogroup, Autumnalis. In Barbados, 39 persons aged 19 or less were hospitalized with leptospirosis between November 1979 and December 1986. Average annual incidence rates were 2.2, 4.9 and 13.3 per 100,000 in the 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 age-groups, respectively.
Adolescent↗
A comparative study of hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates in St Lucia, Jamaica and Barbados.
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases represent the most common cause of death in the English-speaking Caribbean, and hypertension represents the most important predisposing condition. However, direct between-country comparative studies in the Caribbean have not previously been undertaken. OBJECTIVE: To obtain estimates of hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in three countries in the Caribbean. DESIGN: Population-based samples of adults aged 25-74 years in St Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica were surveyed regarding their cardiovascular health and their blood pressures were measured using a highly standardized protocol. A reference site was available from a collaborative study among blacks in metropolitan Chicago, Illinois, USA. RESULTS: At the 160/95 mmHg threshold, age-adjusted hypertension prevalence estimates for Jamaica, St Lucia and Barbados were 17.5, 18.3 and 21.5%, respectively, and 24.7, 26.9 and 27.9%, respectively, at the 140/90 mmHg threshold. The corresponding estimate for the Chicago site at the 140/90 mmHg threshold was 33.2%. The gradient in prevalence resembled the gradient in body mass index (25.7 kg/m2 in Jamaica to 29.3 kg/m2 in the USA). At the 160/95 mmHg threshold, the proportion of all hypertensives who were aware of their disease, pharmacologically treated and controlled was highest in Barbados (90, 85 and 72%, respectively) and lowest in St Lucia (74, 59 and 35%, respectively). Men, particularly those aged less than 55 years, were less likely to have their hypertension treated and controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with estimates from earlier independent surveys, considerable progress has been made in hypertension detection and control in these countries, which should lead to sizable reductions in the burden of cardiovascular disease.
Adult↗
Ovulation rate and litter size of Barbados, Targhee and crossbred ewes.
Ovulation rate was measured in Barbados Blackbelly (United States strain; B), Targhee (T), Barbados X Targhee (B X T) and Barbados X Dorset-Targhee (B X DT) ewes at first and second estrus following synchronization of cycles early in the breeding season. Body weight at sponge removal differed (P less than .001) between B (30.9 kg) and T ewes (54.9 kg) and was intermediate for B X T (44.9 kg) and B X DT (43.5 kg) ewes. Ovulation rate was higher (P less than .01) at first and second estrus for B (1.86, 2.04), B X T (1.93, 2.04) and B X DT (1.72, 1.80) than for T (1.29, 1.40) ewes. Regressions of ovulation rate on body weight within the breed groups did not differ significantly from each other and the average was significant (b = .049 +/- .014 CL/kg at first estrus and b = .046 +/- .011 CL/kg at second estrus, where CL = number of corpora lutea), but differences between the groups in body weight did not explain the differences in ovulation rate. Litter size for B, B X T, B X DT and T groups was 1.71, 1.84, 1.84 and 1.28, respectively. The B X T ewes were superior to the average of the B and T ewes for ovulation rate (P less than .05) and litter size (P less than .01); there was no direct estimate of embryo survival, but the results indirectly indicate superiority of the crossbreds for this component also.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Open-angle glaucoma and blood groups. The Barbados Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) with ABO, Rh and Duffy blood groups in the population-based Barbados Eye Study. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A subset of black Barbados Eye Study participants, which included 199 OAG cases and 1063 controls. DATA COLLECTION: ABO, Rh and Duffy blood groups were determined as part of a comprehensive study visit, which included assessment for OAG through perimetry, fundus photography, and ophthalmologic examination. OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of blood groups between OAG cases and nonOAG controls, expressed as odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Associations were found with the Duffy Fya+ group, which is more frequent in white than black populations. In Mantel-Haenszel analyses, OAG was positively associated with Duffy Fya+ in men (odds ratio, 2.67; confidence interval, 1.52 to 4.69) and in persons with intraocular pressure more than 21 mm Hg (odds ratio, 3.32; confidence interval, 1.49 to 7.38). Logistic regression analyses confirmed these findings (interaction of Duffy Fya+ and male gender, P = .01; interaction of Duffy Fya+ and intraocular pressure, P = .04). No associations between OAG and the ABO or Rh blood groups were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The associations with Duffy Fya+, which had not been reported previously in a black population, support the involvement of genetic factors in OAG. However, the lack of association between OAG and blood group markers of African ancestry is inconsistent with a genetic explanation for the differences in OAG prevalence between blacks and whites. Our findings suggest gene-environment interactions in OAG, to be explored by further studies of OAG and Fy markers by racial group and gender.
ABO Blood-Group System↗
Kerosene poisoning in children in Barbados.
A retrospective study is reported of 140 children aged between seven months and five years who were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, St Michael, Barbados during a six-year period with kerosene poisoning. Seventy-eight were male (56%) and 62 female (44%). The majority (61%) were brought to the hospital less than four hours after ingestion. Vomiting, cough, fever and drowsiness were the most common symptoms observed. Twenty-four of 48 patients X-rayed showed pneumonia. There were no deaths. Physical findings were normal in those patients who were seen at follow-up clinic. Kerosene ingestion remains the commonest cause of childhood poisoning in Barbados. There is a greater need to stress its prevention in order to reduce its incidence.
Barbados↗
MHC expression of African green monkeys of Barbados is limited in heterogeneity.
Major histocompatibility complex expression of activated peripheral blood lymphocytes of captive African green monkeys from Barbados and from Africa were analyzed biochemically; class I molecules by one-dimensional isoelectric focusing and class II DR molecules by one-dimensional nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis. Much less diversity was observed in the major histocompatability molecule expression of the African green monkeys of Barbados than in the African cohort.
Africa↗
Bim, a new serovar of Leptospira interrogans isolated from a dog in Barbados.
A new serovar of Leptospira interrogans was isolated from a dog in Barbados. The proposed name of the new serovar is bim, and the designated type strain is 1051. The serogroup of the new serovar is the Autumnalis serogroup. The new serovar was subsequently isolated from six patients with leptospirosis in Barbados.
Animals↗
A pilot project of glaucoma in Barbados.
The prevalence of open-angle glaucoma is believed to be very high among West Indian blacks. To begin investigating the prevalence and risk factors for glaucoma and other eye diseases in Barbados, WI, a pilot study was conducted. The pilot project identified a stratified, random national sample of 300 persons over 35 years of age who were invited to participate in an ophthalmic examination and an interview. Of those contacted 89% were eligible and 95% of these agreed to participate. The overall glaucoma prevalence in the participants was 6%; it was 13% among black and mixed persons over 54 years. Age related cataract, hypertension, and diabetes were frequent findings. Although the sample size of the pilot project is small, the results suggest a high prevalence of glaucoma in Barbados, a finding that merits further study.
Adult↗
Blood pressure in blacks. Twin studies in Barbados.
We have recently reported that there are significant genetic influences on the population variation in blood pressure in black twins in Los Angeles. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to replicate these findings in a black twin population that lives in a different biosocial environment. We chose the Caribbean island nation of Barbados, where 96% of the population is black, the literacy rate is 99%, and the access to health care is guaranteed. The goals were 1) to test the feasibility of twin studies in blood pressure research in a developing country and 2) to estimate the relative contribution of genes and environment to blood pressure variability in blacks in the Caribbean. The names of 200 twin sets were obtained with the assistance of community resources including a twin club, by media advertisement, and by asking people at public blood pressure screenings if they knew any twins. By using these methods, we identified 200 sets of twins. Of these, 37.5% (75/200) met our criteria for study. Although 97% of the sets of twins (73/75) said they were willing to participate, only 69% (52/75) were able to be scheduled during the 1 week of the study when the full team of investigators was in Barbados. Of those scheduled, 83% (43/52) were examined. Examination included medical history, physical examination, recumbent blood pressure measurements by two observers, anthropometric measurements, 24-hour urine collections for sodium and potassium tests, and blood tests for zygosity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Incidence of type I diabetes in people under 30 years of age in Barbados, West Indies, 1982-1991.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of type I diabetes among individuals < 30 years of age on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. The population is predominantly African in origin but exhibits a relatively westernized lifestyle. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cases occurring during the years 1982-1991 were drawn from records at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and from physicians treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. Patients using insulin and < 30 years of age at onset were included. Ascertainment was estimated at 94%. RESULTS: The average annual incidence of type I diabetes among Barbadians was 4.1/100,000 when age-adjusted to the world's population. There were 59 incident cases during this 10-year interval. The risk for males was 4.4 and for females 4.0/100,000. Among those 0-14 years of age, the risk was 5.0/100,000. Mean age at onset (+/- SD) was 14.7 +/- 6.9 for males and 12.5 +/- 5.7 for females. Males showed marked seasonal variation in risk and a more than threefold increase in annual incidence during 1984-1985. In contrast, females exhibited a stable pattern of IDDM risk during the 10-year interval. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate in Barbados falls near the lower limits of rates reported for Caribbean populations. There was a marked seasonal effect among males, even though the climate varies little throughout the year. This observation, and the incidence peak during 1984-1985, provide support for the role of environmental factors in the etiology of IDDM.
Adolescent↗
Leptospires in vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops Sabaeus) on Barbados.
Agglutinins to Leptospira were found at titers of greater than or equal to 1:100 in 150 of 501 (29.9%) vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) bled within 1 mo of capture in Barbados. Including a further 34 of 145 bled within 1 yr of capture, the seropositivity prevalence was 28.5%. A further 35 monkeys (5.4%) had traces of agglutinins or gave titers of 1:50. The proportion of seropositive adults (41.5%) was more than twice that of seropositive immature monkeys (17.6%). Among adults, 49.2% of males and 35.7% of females were seropositive, while among juveniles proportions of seropositive males and females were similar (17.8% and 17.4%, respectively). Seropositivity prevalences tended to increase in proportion to rainfall. In each of 165 of the 184 positive sera, a single serogroup predominated in the serological reactions. These serogroups were Ballum (61%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (16%), Autumnalis (15%), Pyrogenes, Panama, Pomona, Tarassovi and Canicola (8% altogether). In the other 19 positive sera no single serogroup predominated. Serial bleeding showed that vervet monkeys can retain naturally-acquired antibodies to Leptospira for at least 2.5 yr. The evidence suggests that vervet monkeys in Barbados are transmitting leptospiral infections among themselves independently of other groups of animals, and are not a major source of human leptospirosis.
Agglutinins↗
Leptospires in the marine toad (Bufo marinus) on Barbados.
Leptospires were isolated from the kidneys of four of 211 toads (Bufo marinus) caught on Barbados. Two of the isolates were identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar bim in the Autumnalis serogroup (the most common cause of leptospiral illness on Barbados), and two as possibly new serovars in the Australis serogroup. Sera from 198 of the toads were examined by the leptospire microscopic agglutination test. Forty-two (21%) were positive at titers of greater than or equal to 1:100, and 54 (27%) at greater than or equal to 1:50. The predominating serogroups were Australis (50%), Autumnalis (23%) and Panama (13%). The agglutination tests on the culture-positive toads showed that serologic studies alone may be of limited value in these animals. Bufo marinus can harbor pathogenic leptospires, and it may be a significant source of the Autumnalis serogroup infections in the Caribbean.
Agglutination Tests↗