African ancestry is associated with asthma risk in African Americans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asthma is a common complex condition with clear racial and ethnic differences in both prevalence and severity. Asthma consultation rates, mortality, and severe symptoms are greatly increased in African descent populations of developed countries. African ancestry has been associated with asthma, total serum IgE and lower pulmonary function in African-admixed populations. To replicate previous findings, here we aimed to examine whether African ancestry was associated with asthma susceptibility in African Americans. In addition, we examined for the first time whether African ancestry was associated with asthma exacerbations.

Methodology/principal findings

After filtering for self-reported ancestry and genotype data quality, samples from 1,117 self-reported African-Am

SUBMITTER: Flores C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3250386 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature