Underlying disease can be found by genetic material

According to the study published in the journal 'Human Molecular Genetics,' as many as 41 of the genes identified have not previously been linked to an elevated risk for these diseases. Researchers have found a total of 141 regions in our genetic material that largely explains the genetic risk underlying asthma, hay fever, and eczema.
Although previous studies have found many genes that exert an effect on these diseases, research has been unable to explain the whole genetic background to the origin of asthma, hay fever, and eczema.
The study was also able to identify several genes that boost the risk of one of these diseases in relation to the others, which demonstrates that several more disease-specific effects also exist. All three diseases arise through a complex association among several genes and also with environmental and lifestyle factors.
To be able to improve the patients' everyday lives, it is important to develop drugs that are adapted to individual patients' genetic risks, and also to understand how our environment and lifestyle can prevent disease and improve symptoms of the disease. "The results from this study are helping us to reach a greater understanding of why certain individuals are at higher risk of developing asthma and allergies, and we hope the results will be put to use both in clinical diagnostics and in drug development," said a researcher.