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Genetic influences on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a twin study
Truls Ingebrigtsen1, Simon F Thomsen, Jørgen Vestbo
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, Copenhagen, Denmark. trulsingebrigtsen@gmail.com
Respiratory Medicine
|June 15, 2010
Summary
Genetic factors strongly influence Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) susceptibility. This study quantifies that genetic contribution, finding approximately 60% of individual susceptibility to COPD is heritable.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous research identified genes linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) risk.
- A comprehensive quantification of the total genetic contribution to COPD has not been previously conducted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the total genetic contribution to the susceptibility of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- To estimate the heritability of COPD using twin studies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hospital discharge diagnoses for COPD in large Danish and Swedish twin cohorts.
- Application of Cox-regression and latent factor models to estimate genetic and environmental effects on COPD susceptibility.
Main Results:
- Higher COPD concordance rates observed in monozygotic (MZ) versus dizygotic (DZ) twins in both populations.
- Adjusted co-twin risk for COPD was significantly higher in MZ than DZ twins, indicating strong genetic influence.
- Additive genetic factors explained approximately 60-63% of individual COPD susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Susceptibility to severe, hospitalization-defined COPD is significantly influenced by genetic factors.
- Genetic factors account for roughly 60% of the individual variation in COPD susceptibility.
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