Genes and environment in asthma: a study of 4 year old twins

Koeppen-Schomerus, Gesina; Stevenson, Jim; Plomin, Robert

doi:10.1136/adc.85.5.398

Cited by 59 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In this context genetic predisposition towards being atopic and asthmatic would appear to be a crucial feature of wheezing persistence, confirming results such as those of KOEPPEN-SCHOMERUS et al [11] who, in a recent study of twin pairs, showed that heritable factors predominate over shared environmental influences in asthma development. The present findings add to those of CSONKA et al [12] who retrospectively looked at risk factors for wheezing persistence in their study group, and confirm the importance of heredity towards the persistent asthmatic phenotype suggested by LONDON et al [13].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Predicting persistent disease among children who wheeze during early life

Kurukulaaratchy¹,

Matthews²,

Holgate³

et al. 2003

Eur Respir J

161

155

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This study sought to determine factors influencing the persistence of early life wheezing up to the age of 10 yrs and to create a score identifying those with the highest risk of persistent disease.Children were seen at birth, 1, 2, 4 and 10 yrs in a whole population birth cohort study (n=1,456). Information was collected prospectively on wheeze prevalence and subjects were classified into wheezing phenotypes. Early life genetic and environmental risk factors were recorded and skin-prick testing (SPT) was performed at 4 yrs. Independently significant factors for persisting wheeze were identified at logistic regression and used to create a score for persistence.Wheezing persistence from the first 4 yrs to the age of 10 yrs occurred in 37% of early life wheezers. Independent significance for persistence was associated with asthmatic family history, atopic SPT at 4 yrs and recurrent chest infections at 2 yrs, whilst recurrent nasal symptoms at 1 yr conferred reduced risk. A cumulative risk score using these factors identified wheezing persistence in 83% scoring 4 and transience in 80% scoring 0.Thus, a combination of genetic predisposition, early life atopy and recurrent chest infections favours the persistence of early life wheezing. Risk scores using such knowledge could provide prognostic guidance on the outcome of early wheeze. Eur Respir J 2003; 22: 767-771.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Predicting persistent disease among children who wheeze during early life

Kurukulaaratchy¹,

Matthews²,

Holgate³

et al. 2003

Eur Respir J

161

155

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The general result from twin studies is that asthma is a highly heritable trait. Approximately 70% of the variance in liability to asthma is explained by genetic factors [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. If there were sex differences in genetic factors, then the influence of genetic factors was usually lower for females than males.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics of parentally reported asthma, eczema and rhinitis in 5-yr-old twins

2007

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The aim of the present study was to examine the genetic and environmental contributions to the individual differences in susceptibility to asthma, eczema and rhinitis in childhood and their role in the association among these conditions. Information on asthma, eczema and rhinitis was obtained by parental report. Parents were asked whether a physician had ever diagnosed the condition. Complete data were available for 8,633 5-yr-old twin pairs born between 1986 and 1998.The frequency of parentally reported asthma, eczema and rhinitis was 8.7, 16.8 and 4.4%, respectively, and was higher in males than females. Genetic factors accounted for ,90% of the variance in the susceptibility to asthma, eczema and rhinitis. The magnitude of genetic factors did not differ between males and females. The remaining part of the variance was explained by environmental factors not shared by family members. The phenotypic correlations between parentally reported asthma, eczema and rhinitis were moderate and mainly mediated by the same genetic factors.The high heritability and the limited influence of shared environmental factors may point to gene x environment interactions. Future research should focus on this type of interaction processes.

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“…The precise cause of asthma is still unknown, but the disorder is most likely a combination of environmental factors, such as air pollution and tobacco smoke exposure, and genetic factors (London, 2007;Ober & Hoffjan, 2006;Vercelli, 2004). Twin studies have shown heritability estimates for asthma to be high, ranging from 60% to 90% (e.g., Duffy et al, 1990;Harris et al, 1997;Koeppen-Schomerus et al, 2001;Laitinen et al, 1998;Skadhauge et al, 1999;van Beijsterveldt & Boomsma, 2007). Significant gene-environment interactions are likely to be present, probably representing the genetic regulation of immune responses to environmental factors and allergens and the tissue-repair processes which ultimately lead to asthma (Ober & Thompson, 2005;Yang et al, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Heritability of Self-Reported Asthma and Allergy: A Study in Adult Dutch Twins, Siblings and Parents

et al. 2008

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The present study assessed the prevalence of asthma and allergy, and estimated the importance of genetic and environmental influences on asthma and allergy liability and their association. Longitudinal data on self-reported, doctor-diagnosed asthma and allergy were collected in over 14,000 individuals registered with the Netherlands Twin Register. Structural equation modeling was used for univariate and bivariate genetic analyses on data from twins, their siblings, and parents. Results showed no sex, age, and minimal birth cohort effects for asthma prevalence (11.8%). For allergy, prevalence was higher in women (19.8%) than in men (13.9%). Allergy prevalence at ages 22, 23, and 24 years increased from the 1970 to the 1980 birth cohort. The prevalence of allergy, but not of asthma, was higher in nontwin siblings than in twins. No assortative mating was observed. High (broad-sense) heritabilities were found for asthma (75%) and allergy (66%), with evidence for nonadditive genetic effects in asthma. The association between asthma and allergy (correlation = .65) was largely due to common genes (70%). No sex differences in genetic architecture were found. In conclusion, the prevalence of allergy but not of asthma increased in recent years. Individual differences in the liability to asthma, allergy and their co-occurrence are for a large part accounted for by differences in genetic background. Nonadditive gene action is important, which may have consequences for gene hunting strategies.

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Genes and environment in asthma: a study of 4 year old twins

Cited by 59 publications

References 26 publications

Predicting persistent disease among children who wheeze during early life

Predicting persistent disease among children who wheeze during early life

Genetics of parentally reported asthma, eczema and rhinitis in 5-yr-old twins

Heritability of Self-Reported Asthma and Allergy: A Study in Adult Dutch Twins, Siblings and Parents

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