Wellcome Trust funded Research projects in the Twin Research Unit
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ref 037377/z/92/z The genetics of postmenopausal bone loss (Spector, Macdonald, Murray) and extension
Summary
The aim of the study was to determine whether postmenopausal bone loss is primarily environmental or genetic. Data was obtained from 125 pairs of identical and 125 pairs on non-identical female twins. Final data which was complete was available on 63 MZ and 61 DZ pairs (mean age 60.4) who were not taking HRT, were definitely menopausal and not taking any other bone medication for the duration of the study. Censoring was used for women who started treatments in the middle of the study. The rates of bone loss over 3 years ranged from –0.31% to –0.61% annually. A full report of the results and prelininary conclsions were sent in the final report to the Wellcome trust sent on 1st December 1997.
Ancillary analyses examined cross-sectional heritability estimates for a variety of bone related traits, including DEXA with a range of heritability (60%-90%), calcaneal ultrasound and hip axis length (range 40-60%) and bone turnover markers (30-55%). These have been published in a range of peer review journals; Spector et al BMJ 1995, Arden et al, JBMR 1996, Garnero et al JCEM 1996, Arden et al Osteopor Int 1996, Arden et al 1997 JBMR, Keen et al Lancet 1995.
Future plans
It is planned to publish the results of the bone loss study shortly either as an abstract at the ASBMR meeting in San Francisco or directly as a full paper. On publication the results will be made avaialble on this website as requested by the Wellcome Trust.
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ref 046404/z/95/z/mp/JF The genetics of hip osteoarthritis (Spector)
Summary
The aim of this study was to determine the genetic component of hip oa and evaluate the role of environmental risk factors. Data was obtained on 400 pairs of MZ and 400 pairs of DZ twin females aged over 40 in the form of a pelvis x-ray. X—rays have been read on the majority using a standardised atlas that we validated for this purpose for joint space and osteophytes. The x-rays are still being read and the study and analysis ongoing. It is hoped to produce a preliminary abstract in time to present at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in November 1998. Once we have completed the study and published the main finding we intend to provide the data on the website as requeseted by the Wellcome Trust.
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ref 047232/z/96/z/mp The genetics of asthma (Spector, Strachan).
Summary
The aim of the study was to estimate the heritability of a number of asthma phenotypes such as peak flow and IgE levels and look at the role of environmental effects in discordant twins. The data collection phase has just been completed and results on 300 pairs of MZ and 300 DZ twin pairs are available. A preliminary analysis has been completed and it is hoped to submit this shortly to a respiratory journal. A final report is due by the end of March 1998 and is currently being prepared which will include some early analyses. Upon publication the respiratorry results will be available on the web as requested by the Wellcome trust.
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ref 049460/z/96/wre/mk/JAT The heritability of age related eye disease (Gilbert [Inst of Opthalmology], Spector).
The aim of this study was to obtain estimates of the heritability of the common eye diseases of ageing, in particular macular degeneration, cataract and lens changes. After considerable delay in starting this project due to delays in finally approving the grant , an opthamologist is now employed and examing the twins on a regular basis. The sophisticated equipment is functioning well and validation checks and reproducibility has been carried out. Currently we are estimating whether the age group of the twins (over 50) will be sufficiently old to detect enough early disease cases, and the age group may be moved to above 60 or 65. Useful publicity for recruitment was obtained via TV to attract older twins. Analysis is at least 12-18 months away. Once published , the data will be available on this web site
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