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

TY - JOUR

T1 - A methodology to establish a database to study gene environment interactions for childhood asthma

AU - Turner, Stephen W.

AU - Ayres, Jon G.

AU - Macfarlane, Tatiana V.

AU - Mehta, Anil

AU - Mehta, Gita

AU - Palmer, Colin N.

AU - Cunningham, Steve

AU - Adams, Tim

AU - Aniruddhan, Krishnan

AU - Bell, Claire

AU - Corrigan, Donna

AU - Cunningham, Jason

AU - Duncan, Andrew

AU - Hunt, Gerard

AU - Leece, Richard

AU - MacFadyen, Una

AU - McCormick, Jonathan

AU - McLeish, Sally

AU - Mitra, Andrew

AU - Miller, Deborah

AU - Waxman, Elizabeth

AU - Webb, Alan

AU - Wojcik, Slawomir

AU - Mukhopadhyay, Somnath

AU - Macgregor, Donald

PY - 2010/12/6

Y1 - 2010/12/6

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - LUNG-FUNCTION

KW - INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS

KW - AIRWAY RESPONSIVENESS

KW - CHILDREN

KW - SEVERITY

KW - POLYMORPHISM

KW - SMOKING

KW - SAMPLE

KW - PHARMACOGENETICS

KW - ASSOCIATION

U2 - 10.1186/1471-2288-10-107

DO - 10.1186/1471-2288-10-107

M3 - Article

C2 - 21134251

SN - 1471-2288

VL - 10

SP - -

JO - BMC Medical Research Methodology

JF - BMC Medical Research Methodology

M1 - 107

ER -