title: [Genetic epidemiology research designs].
abstract: This article describes the features of the epidemiologic research designs most commonly used in genetic association studies. Case-control studies are efficient in evaluating associations between candidate genes and disease. Cohort studies, in contrast, yield a greater degree of causality but are not efficient for the initial exploration to identify gene-disease associations. Cross-sectional studies are less expensive, require less time, and are useful for estimating the prevalence of diseases, risk factors, and genetic variants. Family-based studies have been successful in finding alleles that confer greater risk for developing Mendelian inheritance disorders.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero. efloresa@espm.insp.mx
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Flores-Alfaro
authors.forename: Ana I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Burguete-García
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salazar-Martínez
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005192:Family Health; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008957:Models, Genetic; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012306:Risk