Genetic component of noise sensitivity.
We investigated the genetic component of noise sensitivity using a twin-study design. The study sample consisted of 573 same-sexed twin pairs from the Finnish Twin Cohort. The 131 monozygotic (MZ) and 442 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs with an age range of 31 to 88 years replied to a questionnaire on noise and health-related items in 1988. The noise sensitivity of respondents was defined as high, quite high, quite low or low. MZ pairs were more similar with regards noise sensitivity than DZ pairs, and quantitative genetic modeling indicated significant familiality. The best z-fitting genetic model provided an estimate of heritability of 36% (95% CI = .20-.50) and when hearing impaired subjects were excluded this rose to 40% (95% CI = .24-.54). In conclusion, noise sensitivity does aggregate in families and probably has a genetic component.
Department of Public Health, PO Box 41, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland. marheinn@mappi.helsinki.fi
Marja
M
Heinonen-Guzejev
Heikki S
HS
Vuorinen
Helena
H
Mussalo-Rauhamaa
Kauko
K
Heikkilä
Markku
M
Koskenvuo
Jaakko
J
Kaprio
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic