Familial aggregation of components of the multiple metabolic syndrome in the Framingham Heart and Offspring Cohorts: Genetic Analysis Workshop Problem 1.

Kristine E Lee,Barbara Ek Klein,Ronald Klein

doi:10.1186/1471-2156-4-s1-s94

Abstract

BackgroundThe multiple metabolic syndrome is defined by a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the familial correlations of the components of the syndrome using data from the Framingham Heart Study original and offspring cohorts as provided for the Genetic Analysis Workshop 13. Measures of plasma cholesterol (total and HDL), body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure were used from selected calendar years of exams. Familial correlations were calculated using FCOR in S.A.G.E.ResultsThe sibling correlations were relatively high for all measures and exams, from 0.17 for systolic blood pressure to 0.27 for HDL cholesterol. The parent-child correlations were very similar, except for systolic blood pressure. The avuncular correlations were much smaller and the cousin correlations were even smaller. For HDL cholesterol the avuncular correlation was half the sibling correlation and the cousin correlation was half that again. Spousal correlations ranged from 0.07 for systolic blood pressure to 0.34 for BMI. Correlations were somewhat lower from 1984 to 1987 examinations than from 1971 to 1975 examinations, except for spousal correlations for systolic blood pressure and BMI.ConclusionThe results of the family pair correlations are suggestive of genetic determinants of lipid levels and BMI. These components have been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes. Genes in common with each of the components might also influence development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, both complex diseases.

Highlights

The multiple metabolic syndrome is defined by a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease
The original cohort was older than the offspring cohort
The correlations from measurements in 1971–5 were similar to those from 1984–7, except for the spousal correlations. These data were supportive of a genetic component for HDL cholesterol and possibly for total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure

Summary

Introduction

The multiple metabolic syndrome is defined by a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Measures of plasma cholesterol (total and HDL), body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure were used from selected calendar years of exams. Familial correlations were calculated using FCOR in S.A.G.E. The multiple metabolic syndrome, known as syndrome X or the insulin resistance syndrome, is defined by a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. There is no common definition of the syndrome, it usually includes high plasma triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, obesity, and proteinuria [1]. Persons with the syndrome have increased risks of developing diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease [2,3]. First-degree relatives of persons with diabetes are more likely to have the syndrome [4,5].

Results

Discussion

Conclusion