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A Note on Twin–Singleton Differences in Asthma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Simon Francis Thomsen*
Affiliation:
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. sft@city.dk
Kirsten Ohm Kyvik
Affiliation:
Institute of Regional Health Research Services and The Danish Twin Registry, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Vibeke Backer
Affiliation:
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
*
1Address for correspondence: Simon Francis Thomsen, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark.

Abstract

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Twins constitute a valuable resource for genetic studies of asthma. However, critics argue that twins are ‘special’ in terms of prenatal environment and upbringing and therefore nonrepresentative. In respect to asthma a small range of studies report differential morbidity in twins compared with singletons. We review some of the possible explanations for these findings and conclude that results from twin studies of asthma can be extrapolated to the general population.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008