Co-aggregation and heritability of organ-specific autoimmunity: a population-based twin study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Co-aggregation of autoimmune diseases is common, suggesting partly shared etiologies. Genetic factors are believed to be important, but objective measures of environmental vs heritable influences on co-aggregation are absent. With a novel approach to twin studies, we aimed at estimating heritability and genetic overlap in seven organ-specific autoimmune diseases.

Design

Prospective twin cohort study.

Methods

We used a cohort of 110 814 twins to examine co-aggregation and heritability of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, atrophic gastritis, celiac disease, Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo and Addison's disease. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for twins developing the same or different disease as compared to their co-twin. The differences between monozygot

SUBMITTER: Skov J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7182094 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature