title: Genetic analysis of the age at menopause by using estimating equations and Bayesian random effects models.
abstract: Multi-wave self-report data on age at menopause in 2182 female twin pairs (1355 monozygotic and 827 dizygotic pairs), were analysed to estimate the genetic, common and unique environmental contribution to variation in age at menopause. Two complementary approaches for analysing correlated time-to-onset twin data are considered: the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method in which one can estimate zygosity-specific dependence simultaneously with regression coefficients that describe the average population response to changing covariates; and a subject-specific Bayesian mixed model in which heterogeneity in regression parameters is explicitly modelled and the different components of variation may be estimated directly. The proportional hazards and Weibull models were utilized, as both produce natural frameworks for estimating relative risks while adjusting for simultaneous effects of other covariates. A simple Markov chain Monte Carlo method for covariate imputation of missing data was used and the actual implementation of the Bayesian model was based on Gibbs sampling using the freeware package BUGS.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Population Health Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland 4029, Australia. kim@odin.mdacc.tmc.edu
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Broom
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuhnert
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Todorov
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Treloar
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001315:Australia; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008390:Markov Chains; D008572:Menarche; D008593:Menopause / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010298:Parity; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires