Asthma-Medication Response Not Affected by African-American Genetic Ancestry

How African-Americans respond to asthma medication is not affected by their genetic ancestry, reports a study at Henry Ford Hospital.

Researchers found that improved lung function in patients after taking inhaled steroids was related to a series of baseline breathing function measures, not genetic ancestry.

Asthma - Factors, Common Allergens, Diagnosis, Treatment, Support Groups, FAQs
It's a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it

Advances in genetics have led to the development of ancestry markers spread across the human genome, which allow genetic ancestry to be easily and inexpensively estimated among African Americans.

It has the potential to be a useful tool in predicting the severity of common conditions among African Americans and fostering the development for more personalized medicine.

"However, our study found that genetic differences due to ancestry probably contributed to little, if any, difference in how African Americans responded to inhaled corticosteroids," said Dr. Wendy Gould, the study's lead author.

Allergy - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Videos
An allergy is a hypersensitive disorder of immune system. Substances that often cause allergic reactions are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, food, insect stings and medicines.

African Americans appear to be especially prone to asthma and its complications, which result in more frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations when compared with white individuals.

Because of that susceptibility, Henry Ford researchers set out to determine what role, if any, genetic ancestry plays in how well African Americans respond to inhaled corticosteroids, which is considered the most effective class of medication for controlling asthma.

About Genetic Testing
Genetic testing helps to confirm a genetic condition in an individual and involves q complex laboratory techniques

Researchers followed 147 African-American asthma patients aged 12-56 who were treated with inhaled steroids for six weeks.

Their breathing function was tested before and after the six-week treatment protocol. Genetic testing was done on DNA isolated from a single blood sample.

"This is one of the first studies to use genetic ancestry to help clarify whether response to medication differs from race or ethnic groups. Fortunately, our results suggest that this potentially life-saving asthma medication is equally beneficial across groups," said Dr. Keoki Williams, the study's senior author.

The study is published online at the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Source-ANI