Observed heritability of kidney function in older Australian twins was estimated at 33% (P=0.009), notably higher than inferred heritability in genome-wide association studies.
Observational (n=470)
Observed heritability of kidney function in older twins is 33%, highlighting a gap with GWAS estimates that may be explained by epigenetics and unique environmental exposures like antihypertensive medications.
Effect estimate: 33% heritability
p-value: p== 0.009
Introduction: Twin studies are unique population models which estimate observed rather than inferred genetic components of complex traits. Nonmonogenic chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease process with strong genetic and environmental influences, amenable to twin studies. We aimed to assess the heritability of CKD using twin analysis and modeling within Older Australian Twin Study (OATS) data. Methods: OATS had 109 dizygotic (DZ) and 126 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs with paired serum creatinine levels. Heritability of kidney function as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR CKD Epidemiology Collaboration CKD-EPI) was modeled using the ACE model to estimate additive heritability (A), common (C), and unique (E) environmental factors. Intratwin pair analysis using mixed effects logistic regression allowed analysis of variation in eGFR from established CKD risk factors. Results: = 0.009). Conclusion: This study estimates observed heritability at 33%, notably higher than inferred heritability in genome-wide association study (GWAS) (7.1%-18%). Epigenetics and other genomic phenomena may explain this heritability gap. Difference in antihypertension medications explains part of unique environmental exposures, though discordance in hypertension and diabetes does not.
Jefferis et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Chronic kidney disease (n=470). Genetic factors vs. Environmental factors was evaluated on Heritability of kidney function (eGFR) (33% heritability, p== 0.009). Observed heritability of kidney function in older Australian twins was estimated at 33% (P=0.009), notably higher than inferred heritability in genome-wide association studies.