On combining triads and unrelated subjects data in candidate gene studies: an application to data on testicular cancer.

ABSTRACT: Combining data collected from different sources is a cost-effective and time-efficient approach for enhancing the statistical efficiency in estimating weak-to-modest genetic effects or gene-gene or gene-environment interactions. However, combining data across studies becomes complicated when data are collected under different study designs, such as family-based and unrelated individual-based (e.g., population-based case-control design). In this paper, we describe a general method that permits the joint estimation of effects on disease risk of genes, environmental factors, and gene-gene/gene-environment interactions under a hybrid design that includes cases, parents of cases, and unrelated individuals. We provide both asymptotic theory and statistical inference. Extensive simulation experim

SUBMITTER: Hsu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2763779 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature