Risk factors of atherosclerosis: A review of genetic epidemiology data from a Serbian population

Determining common risk factors for the onset and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, which are known to be multi-factorial and polygenic diseases, represents a challenge for medicine in the future. In recent years, there have been breakthroughs in the determination of pathogenesis, risk estimating methodologies, modifications of genetic risk in prophylaxis and in establishing new therapeutic targets in pharmacology. The role of genetic epidemiology is to provide necessary data about genetic characteristics of different populations, as well as gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, that lead to the development of diseases. The aim is to define high-risk haplotypes and primary targets for a new generation of pharmaceutical products and tools designed for the diagnosis and therapy of these disorders. The present review provides examples from the authors' genetic epidemiology studies regarding the association of candidate genes with risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as dyslipidemias, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, in a Serbian population, along with basic assumptions that come with this type of research. The main results of these studies are discussed, as well as problems that should be taken into consideration in future evaluations of disease risk in a population.