Chronic respiratory diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is the third leading cause of death worldwide and asthma. These chronic respiratory diseases have varying severity of presentations and are also associated with other chronic diseases such as malignancies and cardiac disease. We propose studying genotypic and other demographic contributions to disease development among individuals with chronic respiratory disease to identify biologic correlates of disease severity and risk for other chronic diseases. This will serve to identify those at risk and based on the biologic pathways implicated, identify potential treatment targets for highly prevalent disease phenotypes. Thus, this project is in line with UK Biobank’s purpose to aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and to promote health.
