The Malmö Offspring Study (MOS): design, methods and first results.
Louise Brunkwall1, Daniel Jönsson1,2, Ulrika Ericson1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
European Journal of Epidemiology
|November 22, 2020
Summary
Family history of cardio-metabolic diseases is complex. This study investigates genetic and environmental factors, including diet and gut microbiota, across three generations to understand disease clustering.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Metabolic Disease Research
- Genetics and Genomics
- Microbiome Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardio-metabolic diseases exhibit familial clustering, suggesting shared genetic and environmental influences beyond known genetic risk scores.
- The concept of 'missing heritability' highlights the need to explore other factors like shared lifestyles, early life exposures, and gene-environment interactions.
- Emerging research points to the significance of diet-microbiota interactions, with potential for shared microbial patterns within families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of familial clustering of cardio-metabolic diseases.
- To explore gene-environmental interactions, including diet and microbiota, in chronic disease development across generations.
- To establish a comprehensive, multi-generational dataset for analyzing family traits in chronic disease.
Main Methods:
- The Malmö Offspring Study cohort includes approximately 4700 individuals across three generations.
- Extensive phenotyping includes cardiovascular and respiratory function, glucose metabolism markers, and cognitive function assessments.
- Genotyping, 4-day online dietary recalls, and gut and oral microbiota analyses are conducted.
Main Results:
- Data collection is ongoing, providing a rich resource for analyzing familial traits of chronic disease.
- The study aims to provide insights into the role of shared family traits and their underlying mechanisms.
- Analysis will focus on genetic, lifestyle, and microbial factors contributing to disease clustering.
Conclusions:
- This large-scale, multi-generational European study offers a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of chronic disease etiology.
- Findings are expected to elucidate the complex interplay of genetics, environment, and lifestyle in familial disease patterns.
- The research will contribute to developing more effective preventive strategies for cardio-metabolic diseases.
