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

Genes and environment in asthma: a study of 4 year old twins
Genes and environment in asthma: a study of 4 year old twins
BACKGROUND - Although the genetic and environmental factors of asthma have been investigated in adolescence and adulthood, no previous studies have focused on the early development of asthma.
AIMS - To test, in a large sample of 4 year old twins, the hypotheses derived from the literature on adolescents and adults that genetic influences are substantial and shared environmental influences are modest.
METHODS - The sample consisted of 4910 twin pairs who were born in England and Wales in 1994 and 1995. Data on asthma status were obtained from the twins' parents by postal questionnaire.
RESULTS - Univariate parameter estimates derived from model fitting were 68% heritability, 13% shared environment, and 19% non-shared environment.
CONCLUSIONS - Our findings suggest that asthma is highly heritable in 4 year olds, whereas shared environmental influences are not statistically significant.
twin studies, risk factors, asthma, genetics
0003-9888
398-400
Koeppen-Schomerus, G.
670ef988-438d-4aba-9e38-0c55ce08b203
Stevenson, J.
0c85d29b-d294-43cb-ab8d-75e4737478e1
Plomin, R.
88092461-3f96-4112-af35-b8e772ee9bc9
Koeppen-Schomerus, G.
670ef988-438d-4aba-9e38-0c55ce08b203
Stevenson, J.
0c85d29b-d294-43cb-ab8d-75e4737478e1
Plomin, R.
88092461-3f96-4112-af35-b8e772ee9bc9

Koeppen-Schomerus, G., Stevenson, J. and Plomin, R. (2001) Genes and environment in asthma: a study of 4 year old twins. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 85 (5), 398-400.

Record type: Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND - Although the genetic and environmental factors of asthma have been investigated in adolescence and adulthood, no previous studies have focused on the early development of asthma.
AIMS - To test, in a large sample of 4 year old twins, the hypotheses derived from the literature on adolescents and adults that genetic influences are substantial and shared environmental influences are modest.
METHODS - The sample consisted of 4910 twin pairs who were born in England and Wales in 1994 and 1995. Data on asthma status were obtained from the twins' parents by postal questionnaire.
RESULTS - Univariate parameter estimates derived from model fitting were 68% heritability, 13% shared environment, and 19% non-shared environment.
CONCLUSIONS - Our findings suggest that asthma is highly heritable in 4 year olds, whereas shared environmental influences are not statistically significant.

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More information

Published date: 2001
Keywords: twin studies, risk factors, asthma, genetics

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 18372
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/18372
ISSN: 0003-9888
PURE UUID: 8c724cdd-7267-42d2-a33c-8d1b5598a5d5

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Date deposited: 06 Jan 2006
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 12:49

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Contributors

Author: G. Koeppen-Schomerus
Author: J. Stevenson
Author: R. Plomin

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