Older Projects

Strong Heart Study – Phase III-1997 to 1999
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Dr. Thomas Welty, M.D., Principal Investigator

This continuation study was funded by the NHLBI through the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman’s Health Board. MBIRI field staff were responsible for the recruitment of the entire Dakota Center SHS cohort of which 91% retention was achieved. Staff conducted all of the physical exam and laboratory procedures on the participants per the SHS protocol. This project also included an asthma sub-study through the University of Arizona in which antigen skin tests and spirometry were conducted on 214 participants.

Morbidity and Mortality Review – Strong Heart Study, Dakota Center-1995 to Present
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Dr. Thomas Welty, M.D., MPH; Lyle Best, MD

This project was funded by the NHLBI, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Release of information was obtained and medical records of 1200 Strong Heart Study cohort members were reviewed on an ongoing basis for cardiovascular events from 1996 through 1999, records describing cardiovascular disease events were abstracted and then reviewed by a panel of Medical Doctors to confirm the diagnosis. Release of information was obtained from all next of kin and pertinent parts of medical and coroner records of cohort members who died were copied regardless of cause of death. Participant charts were located in various hospitals throughout a 600-mile radius. Personal interviews of the next of kin were conducted on all participants with unattended deaths.

Sleep Heart Health Study – Phase II – 1999 to 2004
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Dr. Helaine Resnick, Ph. D., Principal Investigator

This project has been approved by the NHLBI to reexamine the original living SHHS cohort members with a follow-up PSG (Polysomnography) Study. This study was implemented to determine cardiovascular and other consequences of sleep-disordered breathing. The study was motivated by the increasing recognition of the frequent occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing in the general population and mounting evidence that sleep-disordered breathing may increase risk for cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and stroke, hypertension and may reduce quality of this generally. Information is still needed on who is at risk from sleep-disordered breathing so that these treatments can be applied in a cost effective manner. MBIRI is the grant recipient for the Strong Heart Study group, which includes the Phoenix SHS, the Oklahoma SHS, and the Dakota Center SHS. Med Star Research and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will subcontract with MBIRI.

Sleep Heart Health Study – Phase I – 1995 to 1999
University of Arizona Health Sciences Center
Stuart Quan, MD, Principal Investigator

This study was implemented to determine cardiovascular and other consequences of sleep-disordered breathing. The study was motivated by the increasing recognition of the frequent occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing in the general population and mounting evidence that sleep-disordered breathing may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and hypertension; including coronary artery disease. This project was funded by the NHLBI (National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institutes), a division of the NIH (National Institutes of Health). Missouri Breaks Industries subcontracted with the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. Two hundred home polysomnography (PSG) studies were performed during the period of 1995 – 1996. In spite of one of the harshest winters on record in the Dakotas, MBIRI completed the project ahead of schedule.

Gocodan Project - 2001
MedStar Research, Inc
David Robbins, MD; Mike Davidson, MD, Ph.D.

The health implications of body fat on non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are well known. This study of genetics of coronary artery disease in Alaska Natives shows how obesity can play a role in cardiovascular risk factors. MBIRI has a strong belief in the critical need for research to define better health care standards for Native Americans. It was through this commitment to health care that we were asked to lend assistance and troubleshoot with important data collection issues.

Infectious Disease - 2000
MedStar Research
Mike Davidson, MD, Ph.D., Barbara Howard, Ph.D.

The Strong Heart Study Research project is designed to evaluate heart disease, lung disease and stroke that exist in American Indians over 45 years of age. This study was designed to investigate the possible influence on heart disease of infectious diseases common in American Indians. Despite well established risk factors for coronary artery disease many American Indians within the Strong Heart Study lack known risk factors. Unlike previous studies, this research will determine the risk of atherosclerosis in the same population. MBIRI staff assisted in the collection of field data in the Dakotas for this very important project.

Zuni Kidney Project - 1999
John Hopkins University
Phil Zager, PI

The Strong Heart Study and MBIRI are enthused about the possibilities of collaboration to benefit Indian health and to further knowledge of diabetic nephropathy and its relation to CVD. This project focuses on identifying environmental-genetic interactions that may modify the risk for the occurrence and/or progression of renal disease. Because of the experience of MBIRI staff in developing and promoting research projects in rural communities, staff was asked to assist and lend support to this important project.

Human Leukocyte Antigen Study - 1999
University of New Mexico
Dr. Mary S. Leffell, (PI)

This project is part of an ongoing effort to define the HLA system in different racial and ethnic groups. The HLA system is a set of genes and their products. HLA proteins are an important part of the immune system. They are the factors that are “matched” in transplantation and are also called “tissue types”. The knowledge from these studies will be used to help make transplantation available to all people. It is important to study the HLA genes not only of different groups but also of families within groups. By typing families, the inheritance of HLA genes can be traced. Knowledge of HLA types is useful in predicting the likelihood of finding suitable donors for bone marrow and stem cell transplantation. This project required and blood draw and was administered to three hundred participants.

Insulin Resistance Study - 1996
MedStar Health
Dr. Barbara Howard, Ph.D., (PI)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether insulin resistance is related to risk factors for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Measures of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism will be combined with cardiovascular risk factor data from the Strong Heart Study and compared to data obtained in whites, blacks, and Hispanics at other centers to determine if the relationship between insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors is similar in Sioux Indians and diverse ethnic groups. This study of thirty participants required them to follow a high carbohydrate diet for several days prior to the procedure. Each participant was given a glucose load then an insulin challenge with a series of twelve blood samples taken in a four hour time period.

Diabetes Today - 1995-1996
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) / State of South Dakota

This project was designed and funded by the CDC in conjunction with the State of South Dakota to promote empowerment of diabetic patients to attain better glycemic control among community members. This study was conducted on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in the communities of Eagle Butte and Red Scaffold with a small support group being formed out of these sessions. Other teaching sessions were held in Rapid City, SD, specifically in the Lakota Homes section, and on the Lower Brule Reservation.

Obesety is signifigantly associated with an increased risk for diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

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Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death in American Indians..

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Research is not new to Indian country and in fact, was an integral part of the medicine man and the tools they used for healing.