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A methodology to establish a database to study gene environment interactions for childhood asthma

Turner, SW; Ayres, JG; Macfarlane, TV; Mehta, A; Mehta, G; Palmer, CN; Cunningham, S; ... Macgregor, D; + view all (2010) A methodology to establish a database to study gene environment interactions for childhood asthma. BMC MED RES METHODOL , 10 , Article 107. 10.1186/1471-2288-10-107. Green open access

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Abstract

Background: Gene-environment interactions are likely to explain some of the heterogeneity in childhood asthma. Here, we describe the methodology and experiences in establishing a database for childhood asthma designed to study gene-environment interactions (PAGES - Paediatric Asthma Gene Environment Study).Methods: Children with asthma and under the care of a respiratory paediatrician are being recruited from 15 hospitals between 2008 and 2011. An asthma questionnaire is completed and returned by post. At a routine clinic visit saliva is collected for DNA extraction. Detailed phenotyping in a proportion of children includes spirometry, bronchodilator response (BDR), skin prick reactivity, exhaled nitric oxide and salivary cotinine. Dietary and quality of life questionnaires are completed. Data are entered onto a purpose-built database.Results: To date 1045 children have been invited to participate and data collected in 501 (48%). The mean age (SD) of participants is 8.6 (3.9) years, 57% male. DNA has been collected in 436 children. Spirometry has been obtained in 172 children, mean % predicted (SD) FEV1 97% (15) and median (IQR) BDR is 5% (2, 9). There were differences in age, socioeconomic status, severity and % FEV1 between the different centres (p <= 0.024). Reasons for non-participation included parents not having time to take part, children not attending clinics and, in a small proportion, refusal to take part.Conclusions: It is feasible to establish a national database to study gene-environment interactions within an asthmatic paediatric population; there are barriers to participation and some different characteristics in individuals recruited from different centres. Recruitment to our study continues and is anticipated to extend current understanding of asthma heterogeneity.

Type: Article
Title: A methodology to establish a database to study gene environment interactions for childhood asthma
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-10-107
Publisher version: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/10/107/
Language: English
Additional information: © 2010 Turner et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: LUNG-FUNCTION, INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS, AIRWAY RESPONSIVENESS, CHILDREN, SEVERITY, POLYMORPHISM, SMOKING, SAMPLE, PHARMACOGENETICS, ASSOCIATION
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1326191
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