title: African ancestry, lung function and the effect of genetics.
abstract: African-Americans have smaller lung function compared with European-Americans. The aim of this study was to disentangle the contribution of genetics from other variables on lung function. A cohort was followed from birth to 30 years of age in Brazil. Several variables were collected: genomic analysis based on DNA; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) obtained by spirometry; height measured by anthropometrists; and thorax circumference evaluated by photonic scanner. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were calculated according to African ancestry. The sample comprised 2869 participants out of 3701 members of the cohort. Males with higher African ancestry by DNA analysis had a smaller FEV1 (-0.13 L, 95% CI -0.23- -0.03 L) and FVC (-0.21 L, 95% CI -0.32- -0.09 L) compared with those with less African ancestry, having accounted for height, sitting to standing height ratio and other confounders. Similar effects were seen in females. After adjustment, ancestry remained significantly associated with lung function, but the large effect of adjustment for confounding among males (but not females) does not allow us to exclude the possibility that residual confounding may still account for these findings.
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil anamene@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Ana Maria B
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wehrmeister
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.affiliation: Sleep Clinic and Pulmonary Physiology, National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez-Padilla
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Pelotas,  Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isabel O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bernardo L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Horta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*; D001741:Black or African American