15 August, 2024
The ERS Clinical Research Collaboration (CRC), Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification (CADSET), has published a paper that observed the association of a higher genetic risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with lower lung function from childhood onwards.
The aim of the study ‘Exploring the genetics of airflow limitation in lung function across the lifespan – a polygenic risk score study’, was to evaluate the contribution of genetic factors of COPD to lung function across the lifespan by assessing whether a weighted polygenic risk score (PRS) for airflow limitation was associated with lower lung function in different age groups.
The researchers calculated and internally validated a PRS in independent studies based on genetic variants previously associated with COPD in adults, defined as airflow limitation, by the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) published to date. They then evaluated the association of this PRS with spirometry indices from preschool age to adulthood.
Overall, the study strongly supports previous suggestions of considering the mechanisms underlying COPD pathophysiology operating across the entire life course. This has important implications for preventing the development of COPD as early in life as possible.