Alternative Recruitment Strategies Influence Saliva Sample Return Rates in Community‐Based Genetic Association Studies |
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Authors: | Mahmood F. Bhutta Lindsey Hobson Jane Lambie Elizabeth S. H. Scaman Martin J. Burton Henk Giele Sarra E. Jamieson Dominic Furniss |
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Affiliation: | 1. Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, John Radcliffe Hospital, , Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK;2. MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, , Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD UK;3. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, , Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK;4. Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, , Subiaco, Australia;5. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, , Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU UK |
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Abstract: | Collection of saliva for DNA extraction has created new opportunities to recruit participants from the community for genetic association studies. However, sample return rates are variable. No prior study has specifically addressed how study design impacts sample return. Using data from three large‐scale genetic association studies we compared recruitment strategy and sample return rates. We found highly significant differences in sample return rates between the studies. In studies that recruited retrospectively, overall returns were much lower from families with a self‐limiting condition who provided samples at a research centre or home visit, than adult elderly individuals with a chronic disease who provided samples by post (59% vs. 84%). Prospective recruitment was associated with high agreement to participate (72%), but subsequent low return of actual saliva samples (42%). A telephone call had marginal effect on recruitment in a retrospective family study, but significantly improved returns in a prospective family study. We found no effect upon DNA yield comparing observed versus unobserved sample collection, or between male and female adult participants. Overall, study design significantly impacts upon response rates for genetic association studies recruiting from the community. Our findings will help researchers in constructing and costing a recruitment protocol. |
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Keywords: | Community‐based studies Oragene saliva sample return rates genetic association |
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