Proband Race/Ethnicity Affects Pedigree Completion Rate in a Genetic Study of Ischemic Stroke

Brett M. Kissela, Thomas G. Brott, Robert D. Brown, Scott L. Silliman, W. Mark Brown, Stephen S. Rich, James F. Meschia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: A recent meta-analysis suggested that racial/ethnic status is not a major determinant of willingness to participate in observational studies or treatment trials. However, little is known about the predictors of enrollment in family-based observational genetic studies. We tested the hypothesis that proband race/ethnicity is a significant predictor of enrolling a pedigree. Methods: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to determine proband characteristics that predict DNA donation from both members of an affected sibling pair. A total of 619 adult male and female probands with first-time or recurrent ischemic stroke and a positive sibling history of stroke enrolled across 53 hospitals and clinics in the United States and Canada into the Siblings with Ischemic Stroke Study, a family-based prospective genomics study. Results: In univariable analysis, probands with siblings who agreed to a blood draw for DNA analyses were more likely to be male and less likely to be nonwhite. In multivariable analysis, only race/ethnicity was significantly associated with likelihood of a proband's having a sibling who agreed to a blood draw. Conclusions: Contrary to observational studies that are not family based, the willingness of family members to participate in observational genetics studies may be influenced by race/ethnicity. This result reinforces the need for improving methods for recruiting diverse populations into genetic studies of stroke.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)299-302
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2008

Keywords

  • Ethnicity
  • genetics
  • pedigree research
  • race
  • siblings
  • stroke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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