title: Evaluation of accuracy in proband-reported family history and its determinants: the Genes in Myopia family study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Proband-reported family histories are widely used in epidemiological and genetic studies. The accuracy of these reports may have significant effects on the intended outcome, particularly in genetic studies. This study aims to determine the accuracy of proband-reported family history of myopia and to assess whether demographic or clinical factors are predictive of an accurate history.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2004 to 2005, the study recruited 120 myopic probands (< or = -0.50 D spherical equivalent in both eyes) aged 18 to 72 years and 358 nuclear family members residing within Victoria, Australia as part of the Genes in Myopia (GEM) family study. Data collection used an examiner-administered questionnaire with an ocular examination. Proband-reported family history of myopia was evaluated for agreement with ophthalmic examination results of family members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The statistical measures of accuracy used in this report were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Sensitivity varied from 85 to 98%, specificity from 84 to 96%, positive predictive value from 83 to 97%, and negative predictive value from 84 to 97%. Following multivariate analysis, an evaluation of demographic and clinical factors indicated that the highest predictive accuracy was obtained from proband reporting of their children [odds ratio (OR), 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.15 to 0.94] whereas the most inaccurate reporting of a proband was when there was less-severe maternal myopia (per 0.50 D less myopic) (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.43) or for increase in total education of the proband (per 1 year increase) (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several variables influence the accuracy of obtaining a family history of myopia. A questionnaire-based approach alone will introduce some error into the study and this should be taken into account when designing and undertaking family-based epidemiological or genetic studies of myopia.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garoufalis
authors.forename: Christine Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: F M Amirul
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dirani
authors.forename: Kelly K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Pertile
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Terry A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Couper
authors.forename: Hugh R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baird
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010375:Pedigree; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology