Genetic Factors Affecting Disability Pension in Twins
Author Information
Author(s): Narusyte Jurgita, Ropponen Annina, Silventoinen Karri, Alexanderson Kristina, Kaprio Jaakko, Samuelsson Åsa, Svedberg Pia
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet
Hypothesis
What is the role of genetic and environmental factors in the liability to disability pension (DP) among twins?
Conclusion
Genetic effects significantly contribute to the liability to disability pension, with differences observed between men and women.
Supporting Evidence
- Genetic factors contributed 49% to the variance in disability pensions due to mental diagnoses.
- Genetic factors contributed 35% to the variance in disability pensions due to musculoskeletal diagnoses.
- Women had a higher incidence of disability pensions compared to men.
- Genetic influences on liability to disability pension were found to differ between sexes.
Takeaway
This study looked at twins to see how much genetics affects whether someone gets a disability pension. It found that genes play a big role, and that men and women might be affected differently.
Methodology
The study followed 46,454 Swedish twins over 16 years, analyzing data on disability pensions and using discrete-time frailty modeling to estimate genetic and environmental influences.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to exclusion of twins with unknown zygosity or missing follow-up information.
Limitations
The study could not investigate younger adults or specific diagnoses due to a small number of disability pensions granted during the follow-up.
Participant Demographics
Participants were Swedish twins born between 1928 and 1958, with a mix of monozygotic and dizygotic pairs.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 39–59
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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