A triple combination strategy corrects population stratification bias and saves genotyping cost

Abstract

Objective: The case-control association study has gained popularity for mapping disease-susceptibility gene(s) of complex human diseases. However, the study is prone to population stratification bias.

Study design and setting: The authors proposed a triple combination strategy of stratum matching, genomic control, and multiple DNA pooling for population-based case-control association studies. Monte Carlo simulation showed that the type I error rates are well controlled using this strategy.

Results: As for power, it increases under the following situations: (1) more accurate stratum matching, (2) more null markers for genomic control, (3) more DNA pooling sets, and (4) more accurate DNA pooling measurement.

Conclusion: The triple combination strategy corrects population stratification bias and saves genotyping cost.