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The Generation R study: a candidate gene study and genome-wide association study (GWAS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of mothers and young children

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Abstract

Aim

The aim of this paper is to describe the Generation R study as a template that enables candidate gene study and genome-wide association study regarding health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of mothers and their young children.

Methods

Generation R is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Children were born in 2002–2006. Blood from mothers and placenta cord blood were sampled. Mothers’ HRQOL was measured 5 times during pregnancy and after birth using SF-12 and EQ-5D. Children’s HRQOL was measured 5 times between age 1 and 5/6 years using Infant-Toddler Quality Of Life questionnaire (ITQOL), Health Status Classification System PreSchool (HSCS-PS) and Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form 28 items (CHQ-PF28), respectively.

Results

DNA is available for 8,055 mothers and 5,908 children. Genotyping of various candidate genes and a genome-wide association (GWA) scan (Illumina 610K) of child DNA were done. A template for gene-HRQOL analyses is provided. We start with candidate gene study on HRQOL of mothers and children. Gene–environment interaction and interaction with medical indicators of health status will be explored. Next, GWA study on HRQOL will be performed.

Conclusions

Gaining insight into the determinants of HRQOL is essential to assisting efforts in health policy and clinical application to improve well-being and health. In the future, it might be possible to complement HRQOL assessments by examinations of genetic markers. Strengths and weaknesses of the Generation R study are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The Generation R Study is conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam in close collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam area, the Rotterdam Homecare Foundation and the Stichting Trombosedienst & Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR), Rotterdam. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of general practitioners, hospitals, midwives and pharmacies in Rotterdam.

Conflict of interest

It should be noted that David Feeny has a proprietary interest in Health Utilities Incorporated, Dundas, Ontario, Canada. HUInc. distributes copyrighted Health Utilities Index (HUI) materials and provides methodological advice on the use of HUI.It should be noted that Jeanne M. Landgraf is affiliated with HealthActCHQ, Cambridge, MA, USA. HealthActCHQ distributes copyrighted Infant-Toddler Quality of Life (ITQOL) questionnaire and Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) materials and provides methodological advice on the use of ITQOL and CHQ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Hein Raat, Lenie van Rossem & Johan P. Mackenbach

  2. Generation R, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Lenie van Rossem & Vincent W. V. Jaddoe

  3. HealthActCHQ, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Jeanne M. Landgraf

  4. The Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, OR, USA

    David Feeny

  5. Health Utilities Incorporated, Dundas, ON, Canada

    David Feeny

  6. Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Henriëtte A. Moll

  7. Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Albert Hofman

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  1. Hein Raat
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  3. Vincent W. V. Jaddoe
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  8. Johan P. Mackenbach
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Correspondence to Hein Raat.

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Raat, H., van Rossem, L., Jaddoe, V.W.V. et al. The Generation R study: a candidate gene study and genome-wide association study (GWAS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of mothers and young children. Qual Life Res 19, 1439–1446 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9773-7

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