News

Researchers claim COPD may be hereditary

23-Apr-08

COPD may be hereditary, claim researchers from Germany and Sweden.

It follows findings that siblings of COPD patients have a much greater risk of developing the disease than spouses.

Although smoking is known to be the most common cause of COPD, previous studies have suggested that there may be a genetic element. 

Data on over 14,000 patients who had been hospitalised for COPD in Sweden from 1986 to 2004 was analysed for the study. In this, 604 affected siblings were identified.

Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) of COPD among siblings, twins and spouses were also calculated. 

Overall, the risk of COPD was found to be much higher in siblings (SIR of 11.87) than in spouses (SIR of 1.6).

sanjay.tanday@haymarket.com

Comment below and tell us what you think 


Comments

Only registered users may comment. Log in now or register for a free account.

There are problems with your form submission.

Please review the errors shown below.



Forgot your password?

Quick search - use * for an abbreviated search, eg nico*

 
 

Healthcare Republic Forums

 

Registrar

Genetics - Recording a family history

Dr John Spicer and Dr Imran Rafi explain how to create a genetic map. Read more

How to deal with a complaint

An apology and sympathy can go a long way to resolving a grievance, explains the MDDUS's medico-lega... Read more

MRCGP - CSA practice case - Emergency contraception

Play out the doctor, patient and assessor roles in a study group or plan on your own how you would a... Read more

Show all articles

 

Latest Clinical Articles

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Contributed by Mr Antonio V Antoniou, consultant gynaecologist and lead in minimal access surgery an... Read more

Chronic low back pain

Dr Mark Ritchie, GPSI in pain management, Morriston, Swansea Read more

Acute and sub-acute back pain

Contributed by Dr Mark Ritchie, GPSI in pain management, Morriston, Swansea Read more

Show all clinical articles

MIMS Product News

New drug - Stelara

Janssen-Cilag has launched Stelara for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis where ot... Read more

New high-strength nicotine patch

Nicorette Invisipatch is the latest addition to the range of available nicotine replacement therapy ... Read more

Prolonged-release aspirin

Flamasacard, a prolonged-release formulation of aspirin, for secondary prophylaxis after a first cor... Read more

Jobs

 

Job of the Week