Sidra Medicine Study Identifies New Non-Invasive Method for Detecting Heart Disease Risk

Breakthrough Study Identifies Early Heart Disease Markers in Blood and Saliva

 11 March 2025, Doha, Qatar – Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has published a study in Scientific Reports, a journal from Nature Portfolio titled “Distinctive Blood and Salivary Proteomics Signatures in Qatari Individuals at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease“. The study identifies protein markers that can help detect individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. These non-invasive methods contribute to advancing personalized healthcare and facilitating early diagnosis.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, accounting for 29 percent¹ of all deaths in Qatar, with risk factors like diabetes and hypertension driving the disease burden. In the broader Middle Eastern population, CVD accounts for 34 percent² of deaths. The Sidra Medicine study offers promising insights into precision medicine, with the potential to transform strategies for managing and preventing CVD.

Dr. Souhaila Al Khodor, Director of the Perinatal and Reproductive Health Division and Principal Investigator at the Laboratory of Microbiome and Biomarkers Discovery, said: “Our study is a step forward in advancing precision medicine for cardiovascular disease. We identified eight biomarkers for CVD-risk that appear in both blood and saliva, demonstrating that non-invasive saliva-based testing could serve as an alternative to traditional blood tests. This approach could significantly improve screening efforts, allowing for timely interventions and better management of modifiable risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.”

The research, conducted as part of the Microbiome and Biomarkers Discovery lab at Sidra Medicine, was led by Dr. Souhaila Al Khodor and Principal Investigators, Dr. Annalisa Terranegra and Dr. Jean Charles Grivel. The multidisciplinary team also included Dr. Ghada Yousif, Research Specialist and Staff Scientists – Dr. Selvasankar Murugesan, Dr. Mohamed Nadhir Djekidel and Dr. Giusy Gentilcore.

Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, said: “Qatar has built a world-class ecosystem for precision medicine, integrating genomic research, national biobanking, and targeted healthcare initiatives. With participants recruited through Qatar Biobank and funding from the Qatar National Research Fund, this study demonstrates how we can translate local genetic insights into innovative healthcare solutions that has global implications. By focusing on cardiovascular disease, which has a significant death rate in the region, we are addressing a critical health challenge and working to reduce its impact on the Qatari population.”

Sidra Medicine continues to lead in advancing innovative healthcare solutions tailored to the needs of the Qatari population. Through cutting edge research, Qatar is driving breakthroughs in precision medicine, enhancing early diagnosis and risk management for cardiovascular disease.

Click here to read the full study, which was awarded via Qatar National Research Fund’s Path to Precision Medicine 2-PPM2 grant under the Qatar Genome Program.