New tool better predicts COPD risk for people of non-European ancestry

UVA Health researchers and their collaborators have developed a better way to predict the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive, potentially deadly form of lung inflammation, for people of non-European ancestry.

Initial tests of the new, more inclusive tool revealed that it is better at predicting COPD risk for both African-Americans and heavy smokers than existing models that were based on genetic information largely collected from people of European ancestry. The tool's developers say their approach will allow doctors to better predict COPD risk for individuals of diverse ancestry in the United States and around the world.

"Our study demonstrates the possibility of learning from large-scale genetic studies performed primarily in European ancestry groups, and then developing prediction models that can be used for prediction of genetic risk in other ancestry groups," said researcher Ani W. Manichaikul, PhD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. "While the current study focus on risk prediction for COPD, we are already looking to apply similar approaches to improve prediction of genetic risk for other diseases."

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https://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2022/05/02/new-tool-predicts-copd-risk-for-diverse-groups/