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Estimating familial aggregation while adjusting for covariates. Application to pulmonary function data from black and
M F Cotch1, T H Beaty, A Muñoz
1Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Annals of Epidemiology
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Adjusting for risk factors like height and smoking significantly reduces correlations in pulmonary function within families. These findings suggest pulmonary function may aggregate more strongly in white families compared to black families.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Human Genetics
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Family studies often rely on crude correlations, but these can be influenced by various risk factors.
- Adjusting for within- and between-family risk factors is crucial for accurate familial correlation estimates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate sibship correlations for pulmonary function while adjusting for multiple risk factors.
- To investigate potential racial differences in the aggregation of pulmonary function within families.
Main Methods:
- A linear model was employed to estimate sibship correlations for pulmonary function measures.
- Data included 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and ln(FEV1/FVC) from white and black adult sibships.
- Covariates included height, age, race, sex, ascertainment, and smoking status.
Main Results:
- Crude correlations for FEV1 and ln(FEV%) decreased significantly after risk factor adjustment.
- Adjusted intraclass correlations for FEV1 were .153 (black) and .225 (white).
- Adjusted intraclass correlations for ln(FEV%) were .103 (black) and .275 (white), suggesting stronger aggregation in whites.
Conclusions:
- Risk factor adjustment is essential for accurate familial correlation studies in pulmonary function.
- Pulmonary function may exhibit stronger familial aggregation in white populations compared to black populations.
- The methodology allows for the incorporation of risk factor adjustments in familial studies.