title: Analyzing networks of phenotypes in complex diseases: methodology and applications in COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The investigation of complex disease heterogeneity has been challenging. Here, we introduce a network-based approach, using partial correlations, that analyzes the relationships among multiple disease-related phenotypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We applied this method to two large, well-characterized studies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We also examined the associations between these COPD phenotypic networks and other factors, including case-control status, disease severity, and genetic variants. Using these phenotypic networks, we have detected novel relationships between phenotypes that would not have been observed using traditional epidemiological approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phenotypic network analysis of complex diseases could provide novel insights into disease susceptibility, disease severity, and genetic mechanisms.
authors: Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. stjhc@channing.harvard.edu.
authors: Jen-hwa
authors: JH
authors: Chu
authors: Craig P
authors: CP
authors: Hersh
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Castaldi
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Cho
authors: Benjamin A
authors: BA
authors: Raby
authors: Nan
authors: N
authors: Laird
authors: Russell
authors: R
authors: Bowler
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Rennard
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Loscalzo
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Quackenbush
authors: Edwin K
authors: EK
authors: Silverman
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000235:genetics*