Investigating the relationship of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) as a risk factor for development of rheumatic heart disease

Trainee Mentor Award

Mentee: Harleen Marwah, MS3

Mentors: Drs. Michele Mietus-Snyder and Emma Ndagire

Project Summary 

The objective of this project is to explore the relationship between Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels in a high risk pediatric population in Uganda. The study hypothesis: there is a differential risk of developing rheumatic heart disease associated with low HDL-cholesterol in children and adolescents. An exploratory secondary hypothesis is that the severity of rheumatic heart disease will exhibit an inverse relationship to the level of HDL-c.

Objectives:

1. To evaluate whether or not low HDL-c is associated with the diagnosis of RHD
2. To evaluate whether a lower HDL-c level is associated with more severe RHD