Correction of population stratification in large multi-ethnic association studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The vast majority of genetic risk factors for complex diseases have, taken individually, a small effect on the end phenotype. Population-based association studies therefore need very large sample sizes to detect significant differences between affected and non-affected individuals. Including thousands of affected individuals in a study requires recruitment in numerous centers, possibly from different geographic regions. Unfortunately such a recruitment strategy is likely to complicate the study design and to generate concerns regarding population stratification.

Methodology/principal findings

We analyzed 9,751 individuals representing three main ethnic groups - Europeans, Arabs and South Asians - that had been enrolled from 154 centers involving 52 countries for a

SUBMITTER: Serre D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2198793 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature