ALLERGY IN 7000 TWIN PAIRS

A genetic component in the etiology of certain allergic diseases has been generally accepted. However, the complex nature of the allergic reactions and the diverse diagnostic criteria used have given rise to a number of hypotheses about the mode of inheritance. Failui-e to distinguish bct\veen these different hypotheses was predictable in view of the common prevalence of allergic disease, as well as the wide variation in type of symptom and severity of expression. A better understanding of the relative importance of hereditary and environmental factors, which would facilitate estimation of risk figures regardless of mode of inheritance, would be of great clinical importance. Attempts to calculate "penetrance", i.e., risk of being affected provided the proper genetic makeup is present, has been made in a few twin studies. However, the twin materials have been biased in selection and too small to permit reliable conclusions. Studies of different types, such as population surveys, family studies, twin studies, etc. with comparable diagnostic methods are still lacking and would be very valuable for the understanding of the etiology of allergic disease.

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