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A factor analysis of associations among self-reported immune related symptoms in a large twin sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

David L Duffy ,
Diana Battistutta ,
John D Mathews  and
Nicholas G Martin
David L Duffy*
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane. davidD@qimr.edu.au
Diana Battistutta
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane.
John D Mathews
Affiliation:
Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia.
Nicholas G Martin
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane.
*
*Correspondence: Dr DL Duffy, Epidemiology Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Rd, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Queensland 4029, Australia. Tel: + 61 7 3362 0217; Fax: + 61 7 3362 0101

Abstract

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We examined the cumulative prevalences of 22 symptoms thought to reflect immune system function reported in a questionnaire mailed to 7616 Australian twins. The associations between symptoms and demographic variables were expressed in terms of polychoric or polyserial correlations, and a principal components analysis performed. Factors representing underlying propensities respectively to allergic disease, various minor infections, diseases associated with aging such as arthritis, skin disease, and respiratory tract infection were extracted. Possible processes underlying these symptom clusters and the relative strengths and weaknesses of this type of analysis are discussed.

Keywords

allergyepidemiologyquestionnaires
Type
Articles
Information
Twin Research and Human Genetics , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , 01 April 1998 , pp. 71 - 77
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998