Busselton Population Medical Research Foundation

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Calgary

London

Where is Busselton?

The Shire of Busselton is the target population of the Busselton Health Study

Cross-sectional & longitudinal population health surveys, initiated in 1966 by Dr Kevin Cullen

Busselton Health Studies

AimsAs stated in 1966:

1. To study the prevalence of common diseases in an Australian community

2. To assess the range and variation of a large number of clinical and laboratory variables in a natural population

3. To provide a community service in the detection, treatment and prevention of disease and in the education of the population

4. To conduct longitudinal surveys for the study of risk factors related to health and disease

5. To study mortality from specific diseases in an Australian population and to define the usefulness of risk factors in predicting such mortality

Indiv iduals

(n = 12 ,537)

1966(n=3,394)

1969(n= 3,680)

1972(n=3,885)

1975(n= 3,635)

1978(n=4,006)

1981(n= 3,940)

1967(n=1,614)

1970(n=1,598)

1973(n=1,489)

1977(n=556)

1987(n= 1,120)

1990(n=3,880)

1992(n= 1,120)

1994-5(n=5,715)

Deaths1966-2002

(n = 3,264)

Hospitaladmissions1973-2002

(n =85,294)

Current & prev iousaddresses

(n = 35,312)

Familyrelationships

(2,468 fam ilies;7,463 indiv iduals)

BHS DATABASE

Cancerregistrations

1982-2002

(n = 1,751)

C ro ss -se c tio nal surve ys

Adults 18+ Children Adults 65+

2003/4(n=1,000)

2005/7(approx5,000)

F o llowupsurve ys

1983(n=1,730)

Methods used in Busselton:1966 - 2007

Methacholine

Atopy

Airway Hyper-Responsiveness (AHR)

Respiratory Symptoms

FEV1 & FVC

Standardised Questionnaires

Spirometry

Bronchial challenges Histamine

Skin Allergy TestsDust mitesGrassesCat/dogMould

DatasetOver 16, 000 participants since 1966

Biological specimens• Sera• DNA

Physical data• Anthropometry• Lung Function• Atopy & allergy• Cardiovascular function• Mental health & cognition

Lifestyle & Behaviour• Nutrition• Alcohol & Tobacco use• Exercise

Mortality & Hospital Admissions• Linkage via WA Hospital Morbidity

Data System

Family data• 2000 families

Recent Projects Asthma Prevalence

Study (2005-07)

2929 adults1500 school-aged children

Burden Of Lung Disease (BOLD) (2007-08)

629 Busselton Adults > 40 yrs of age

Sleep-Disordered Breathing Study (2007- ongoing)

>800 adults

Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, CVD Risk Study (2006-08)

500 children & adolescents 1200 adults

Current Projects The Busselton Diabetes Study (BDS) (2008 - 2009)

Regional comparision with Fremantle Diabetes Study (FDS II) 250 Diabetics and 250 age-matched controls

• Anthropometry• Biochemistry• Neurological assessments• Vision• Blood pressure• Brachial-Ankle Index• ECG• Spirometry• Oximetry• Sleep Apnoea• Diet & Nutrition• Quality of care• Lifestyle & well-being

Current Projects The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS)

(Commencing 2009) Multidisciplinary focus on diseases and factors common to ageing

3000 “Baby Boomers” 45 – 64 year olds

• Anthropometry• DEXA scans – bone, muscle, fat• Cardiovascular profiling• Muscle strength & balance• Physical Activity• Eyes & vision• Ears & hearing• Respiratory function & health• Cognition• Diet & nutrition• Mental health & well-being• Biochemistry & DNA

Gene Chromosome location

Variation surveyed

Phenotype Assoc’n Population-analysis

Cases/controls

DPP10 2q14 SNPs Asthma Y A?B - TDT 244 

CCR5 3p21 Δ32 Asthma N A/B - TDT 217

IL4 5q23 -589C/T Specific IgE HDM

Y Pop’n based 1004

LTA 6p21 Ncol int 1 Asthma Y ? 92/318

“ “ Haplotypes Asthma Y ? 179/825

TNF 6p21 -308G/A Asthma Y ? 92/318

“ “ Haplotypes Asthma Y Pop’n based 1004

HLA-DRB1

6p21 SNP alleles Total IgE Y Quant. phenot 1004

“ “ “ “ Y Aab. – Quant. phenotype

234

HLA 6p21 Haplotypes Asthma Y ? 179/825

NOD1 7p15 In/del int 9 Total IgE Y ? ?

FCER1B 11q12 Leu18//Leu183

AtopySPT/IgE

Y Pop,n based 1004

“ “ Gly237Glu SPT, IgE, BHR

Y ? ?

“ “ Rsalin 2 Asthma, total IgE

Y Quant. phenot 123

“ “ Rsalex 7 Total IgE, eos

Y Quant. phenot 121

PHF11 13q14 SNPs, haplotypes

Total IgE, asthma

Y ? ?

TCRA/D 14q11 VA8.1 IgE to Der p 2

Y Pop,n based 410, 426

Genetic Studies (Asthma and Allergy) Using Busselton Data – Association Studies - Cookson (London), Palmer and others.

BPMRF Investigators Clin Prof Bill Musk *   Respiratory diseasesAssoc Prof Alan James* Respiratory diseases/ pulmonary physiologyProf Mathew Knuiman* Biostatistician/epidemiologistProf Lyle Palmer* Genetic epidemiologyAssoc Prof Joseph Hung* Cardiovascular diseasesAdj Prof John Beilby * Laboratory scientist, cardiovascular studiesDr Digby Cullen * GastroenterologyDr Tim Welborn Diabetes, obesityProf Timothy Davis*  General medicine, diabetesAdj Prof Nicholas de Klerk* Biostatistician/epidemiologistDr Peter Hollingsworth* Laboratory scientist, immunologyDr Jennie Hui** GeneticsDr Brendan McQuillan Cardiovascular diseasesProf John Olynyk Gastroenterology, liver diseaseProf David Ravine* Medical geneticsClin Assoc Prof John Walsh* Thyroid diseasesDr Bu Yeap Endocrinology

Strengths:Numbers, Longitudinal + Cross-sectional,Phenotypes (Q, airway function, blood), Family

linkage.

Resources:Genotyping, Staff, Infrastructure (some).

Collaborative areas:Respiratory and Allergy, CVD, Diabetes

British Columbia

Western Australia