Power of HLOD Tests to Detect Linkage to Obesity Genes
Author Information
Author(s): Yoo Yun Joo, Huo Yanling, Ning Yuming, Gordon Derek, Finch Stephen, Mendell Nancy R
Primary Institution: State University of New York at Stony Brook
Hypothesis
We investigate the power of heterogeneity LOD test to detect linkage when a trait is determined by several major genes.
Conclusion
The power to detect linkage to the slope genes is quite low, but using disease-related traits as a phenotype shows greater power than using the disease phenotype.
Supporting Evidence
- The power to detect linkage using the Obesity Slope phenotype was found to be 13%.
- The power for Max BMI phenotype was 12%, while for Hypertension it was only 8%.
- There is a strong association between being in the top 10% for the Obesity Slope and Max BMI phenotypes.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well certain tests can find genes linked to obesity. It found that using traits related to obesity is better than just looking at the disease itself.
Methodology
The study used simulated data to analyze the power of HLOD tests for different obesity-related phenotypes.
Potential Biases
There may be bias due to errors in estimating individual slopes from the simulation models.
Limitations
The study's power may be limited by dichotomizing values rather than analyzing traits as quantitative phenotypes.
Participant Demographics
Cohort 1 had 21 time points with two-year intervals, and Cohort 2 had five time points with eight- or four-year intervals.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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