Analysis of genetic and non-genetic factors that affect the QTc interval in a Mongolian population: the GENDISCAN study

Abstract

The QTc interval is a complex quantitative trait and a strong prognostic indicator of cardiovascular mortality in general, healthy people. The aim of this study was to identify non-genetic factors and quantitative trait loci that govern the QTc interval in an isolated Mongolian population. We used multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between the QTc interval and non-genetic factors including height, blood pressure, and the plasma lipid level. Whole genome linkage analyses were performed to reveal quantitative trait loci for the QTc interval with 349 microsatellite markers from 1,080 Mongolian subjects. Among many factors previously known for association with the QTc interval, age, sex, heart rate, QRS duration of electrocardiogram and systolic blood pressure were also found to have influence on the QTc interval. A genetic effect for the QTc interval was identified based on familial correlation with a heritability value of 0.31. In a whole genome linkage analysis, we identified the four potential linkage regions 7q31-34, 5q21, 4q28, and 2q36.