How digital and molecular data can be integrated and used to improve
health

Date:
December 2, 2021
Source:
Karolinska Institutet
Summary:
Analysing molecular characteristics and their variation
during lifestyle changes, by combining digital tools, classical
laboratory tests and new biomolecular measurements, could enable
individualised prevention of disease. The researchers show what
a proactive healthcare model could comprise and how it could help
in maintaining good health.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Analysing molecular characteristics and their variation during lifestyle changes, by combining digital tools, classical laboratory tests and
new biomolecular measurements, could enable individualised prevention
of disease.

This is according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden
and the University of Helsinki in Finland published in the journal Cell Systems. The researchers show what a proactive healthcare model could
comprise and how it could help in maintaining good health.


========================================================================== Sensors, apps and other digital alternatives for monitoring health are increasing our ability to take proactive measures to improve our health
and wellbeing. Moreover, the simultaneous measurement of numerous
biomolecular variables (multiomics) enables deep and comprehensive
profiling of human biology.

"Instead of focusing on the treatment of the later stages of
disease, future healthcare services could focus on more proactive and individualised interventions and on the early detection of disease," says
the study's first author Francesco Marabita, researcher at the Department
of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab in Sweden. "It might sound a little futuristic, but the technology is already there."
The Digital Health Revolution (DHR) project is a multicentre study set
up a few years ago by researchers, amongst other institutions, from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of
Helsinki to explore and pilot future approaches to healthcare.

The study spanned 16 months and included 96 individuals between the
ages of 25 and 59 who were registered at an occupational healthcare
clinic in Helsinki, Finland. There were no known serious diseases, but
some of the participants had risk factors such as high blood pressure,
elevated glucose or obesity.

The molecular profiling was done in collaboration with investigators from Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab. In addition to extensive multiomics analyses, the serial data collection included online questionnaires,
clinical laboratory measurements in blood samples, analysis of the gut microbiome, and activity and sleep data using a smart watch.



==========================================================================
The researchers gathered over 20,000 biological samples and over
53 million primary data points for 558,032 distinct features. Besides
medical examinations and digital health measurements, all participants
received regular guidance to support and encourage lifestyle changes
regarding diet, exercise, stress and mental wellbeing.

A web-based dashboard and a smartwatch gave the participants the kind
of health data they required to influence their own health, such as
genetic risk scores, blood lipids, BMI, and physical activity levels. The interpretation of the health data was facilitated by a physician tied
to the study, and personal coaches provided continuous guidance both
digitally and in person. At the end, 86 percent reported positive
lifestyle changes in terms of diet, exercise, sleep and drinking and
smoking habits. The perception of improved health was backed up by the bioinformatic analyses of the molecular variables.

The results demonstrated new and previously unknown correlations between
health risks and molecular factors associated with overweight, diabetes,
liver function, immunity and hormones. For instance, the researchers
found that synthetic oestrogen (ethinyl estradiol) has a broad and unique effect on metabolites, proteins and physiology.

"Our study increases our understanding of human biology and health over
time and seems to confirm the potential of a data-driven, individualised approach to motivate and monitor the effects of lifestyle changes and
proactive health work," says Dr Marabita.

The method is generally applicable for understanding transitions from
health to disease. The study didn't focus on any particular disease,
risk group, intervention type or biomarker.

"From a healthcare perspective, in the future one could focus for
example on people with high risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease,"
he explains.

"The cost of the molecular profiling is now the greatest clinical
challenge for large-scale implementation of this study. Like for human
genome sequencing, the cost of advanced laboratory technologies can
go down orders of magnitude over time. This study serves as a proof
of concept in preparation for data-driven practices to be adopted
in health care." The study was financed by the Academy of Finland, Tekes/Business Finland, the Sigrid Juse'lius Foundation and the Knut
and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Karolinska_Institutet. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Francesco Marabita, Tojo James, Anu Karhu, Heidi Virtanen, Kaisa
Kettunen, Hans Stenlund, Fredrik Boulund, Cecilia Hellstro"m,
Maja Neiman, Robert Mills, Teemu Perheentupa, Hannele Laivuori,
Pyry Helkkula, Myles Byrne, Ilkka Jokinen, Harri Honko, Antti
Kallonen, Miikka Ermes, Heidi Simila", Mikko Lindholm, Elisabeth
Wide'n, Samuli Ripatti, Maritta Pera"la"-Heape, Lars Engstrand,
Peter Nilsson, Thomas Moritz, Timo Miettinen, Riitta Sallinen,
Olli Kallioniemi. Multiomics and digital monitoring during
lifestyle changes reveal independent dimensions of human biology
and health. Cell Systems, 2021; DOI: 10.1016/ j.cels.2021.11.001 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211202102103.htm

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