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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doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9773-7, hdl.handle.net/1765/21749
Quality of Life Research
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Raat, H., van Rossem, L., Jaddoe, V., Landgraf, J., Feeny, D., Moll, H., & Mackenbach, J. (2010). 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. Quality of Life Research, 19(10), 1439–1446. doi:10.1007/s11136-010-9773-7