Polygenic risk for coronary heart disease — factors that might increase risk
Drs. Carlos Iribarren and Jamal Rana, whose recently published study is described in this newsletter, are continuing their research in the area of polygenic risk scores and coronary heart disease. They will study whether genetic factors known to influence the risk of heart disease, such as the SNPs they identified in their previous research, play a more important role in the development of heart disease early in life compared to later in life. They also will study whether these SNPs have the same effects on men and women in relation to developing coronary heart disease. When doctors know more about who is at greater risk for coronary heart disease, they will be better able to provide advice to people regarding lifestyle changes (e.g., diet and exercise) and appropriate preventive medications (e.g., statins).
Genetic and clinical information about what causes erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an important quality-of-life problem for many men and their partners. ED is defined as a man’s persistent inability to attain or maintain a penile erection for sexual activity. Kaiser Permanente scientists will investigate genes that are associated with ED risk and determine the role of related risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease. To accomplish their goals, scientists will study the ongoing clinical care of thousands of KP Research Bank members via information recorded in their electronic health records (spanning an average of 20 years) as well as the samples these members contributed to the Research Bank. Scientists expect that this project will lead to a better understanding of the reasons why some men are more likely than others to experience ED. Such knowledge could later help develop 1) screening tests to identify persons at increased risk for ED, which may lead to better preventive care, and 2) new medications to deal with ED.
Genes and other risk factors related to dry eye
Dry eye is a common eye condition. It happens when our eyes don’t produce enough tears and when tears evaporate too quickly. Not having enough tears means that there is not enough lubrication for our eyes, which causes discomfort. The goal of this project is to 1) discover the genes associated with the risk of getting dry eye, and 2) determine the role of other risk factors, such as other eye conditions and autoimmune disorders. Scientists will follow the clinical care of thousands of KP Research Bank participants and link this information to their genetic data. The researchers expect that results from this study will create a better understanding of the reasons why some people are more likely to develop dry eye. Findings from this study will provide the information needed to begin developing screening tests to identify people at increased risk for dry eye, which may lead to better preventive interventions and possibly new treatments.
