Genetic determinants of heel bone properties: genome-wide association meta-analysis and replication in the GEFOS/GENOMOS consortium
Quantitative ultrasound of the heel captures heel bone properties that independently predict fracture risk and, with bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by X-ray (DXA), may be convenient alternatives for evaluating osteoporosis and fracture risk. We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association (GWA) studies to assess the genetic determinants of heel broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA; n = 14 260), velocity of sound (VOS; n = 15 514) and BMD (n = 4566) in 13 discovery cohorts. Independent replication involved seven cohorts with GWA data (in silico n = 11 452) and new genotyping in 15 cohorts (de novo n = 24 902). In combined random effects, meta-analysis of the discovery and repli…
Association of Thyroid Function Test Abnormalities and Thyroid Autoimmunity With Preterm Birth A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Preterm birth complicates 5% to 15% of births worldwide, and although it is the most important direct cause of morbidity and mortality in children younger than 5 years, no known risk factors can be identified in the majority of cases. However, overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism during pregnancy are well-known risk factors for preterm birth, and as such, the purpose of this study was to assess whether thyroid function test abnormalities and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody positivity were associated with preterm birth. The study conducted a systematic review on the association of thyroid function or autoimmunity with preterm birth published from database inception to March 18, 2018, w…