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. 2015 Sep 11:2:27803.
doi: 10.3402/ecrj.v2.27803. eCollection 2015.

The contribution of twin studies to the understanding of the aetiology of asthma and atopic diseases

Simon F Thomsen  1
Affiliations

The contribution of twin studies to the understanding of the aetiology of asthma and atopic diseases

Simon F Thomsen. Eur Clin Respir J. .

Abstract

The prevalence of asthma and other atopic diseases has increased markedly during the past decades and the reasons for this are not fully understood. Asthma is still increasing in many parts of the world, notably in developing countries, and this emphasizes the importance of continuing research aimed at studying the aetiological factors of the disease and the causes of its increase in prevalence. Twin studies enable investigations into the genetic and environmental causes of individual variation in multifactorial diseases such as asthma. Thorough insight into these causes is important as this will ultimately guide the development of preventive strategies and targeted therapies. This review explores the contribution of twin studies to the understanding of the aetiology of asthma and atopic diseases.

Keywords: Asthma; atopic dermatitis; atopic diseases; environment; epidemiology; genetic; hay fever; twin study.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ratio between MZ and DZ concordance rates for asthma obtained from recent population-based twin studies.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Relationship between asthma and birth weight in Danish twins, 3–9 years of age.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Relationship between asthma and BMI in Danish twins, 20–71 years of age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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