Heritability of Lung Function: A Twin Study Among Never-Smoking Elderly Women
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Key result
Genetic factors explain ~32% of baseline FEV1 variance in elderly never-smoking women, while environment dominates.
- 32%
- 95% CI 7.8-56
- n=374
Why the study?
Most studies on lung function heritability included smokers and used cross-sectional designs, potentially confounding genetic contributions with smoking effects.
Population
374 never-smoking female twins aged 63-76 at baseline
Comparison
Genetic vs environmental influences on lung function measures
Design
Longitudinal observational twin study with bivariate structural equation modeling
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Environmental factors predominate in lung function variance among elderly never-smoking women; leaves open modifiable targets for prospective studies.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=374)
Structured PICO
P
Population
374 never-smoking female twins aged 63 to 76 years underwent spirometry at baseline and 3-year follow-up to assess the heritability of lung function.
O
Outcome
Heritability of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratiosurrogate
Main Result
Effect estimate: 32% (95% CI 7.8-56)
In never-smoking elderly women, approximately one third of the variation in FEV1 and FVC is explained by genetic factors and two thirds by environmental effects.
Limitations
- Non-attendance in spirometry and study drop-outs could have affected the results, as drop-outs had poorer baseline lung function.
- Passive smoking and occupational exposure were not assessed.
- Smoking, physical activity, and disease status were self-reported and not objectively validated.
- Results cannot be applied to men or younger women.
- Study subjects were possibly healthier than women generally in this age group due to the traveling ability inclusion criterion.
Cite This Study
Hukkinen et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Lung function (n=374). Genetic factors (Heritability) vs. Environmental factors was evaluated on Heritability of FEV1 at baseline (32%, 95% CI 7.8-56). In never-smoking elderly women, additive genetic effects explained 32% and 41% of the variance in FEV1 and FVC at baseline, with environmental factors accounting for the majority of variation.
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