Naslov
Genetic epidemiological studies of Eastern Adriatic island isolates, Croatia: Objectives and strategies

Autori
Rudan, Igor ; Campbell, Harry ; Rudan, Pavao

Izvornik
Collegium Antropologicum (0350-6134) 23 (1999), 2; 531-546

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
genetic epidemiology; isolates; genetic disease; Croatia; population genetics; anthropology

Sažetak
In this paper, the author discuss why isolate populations represent a particularly helpful model for genetic epidemiological studies. A thorough previous anthropological research carried out in Eastern Adriatic island isolates, Croatia, in terms of ethnohistory, geography and current demography is reviewed. The major results of the studies of population genetic structure of those populations, including model-bound and model-free approaches, the analyses of serogenetic polymorphisms and most recent studies using HLA class II, VNTR and STR DNA polymorphisms, are briefly presented. the organisation of health care on the island is analysed and some relevant details of specific medical problems and some autochtonous disease in these island populations is noted. The authors present in outline four illustrative examples of research opportunities which are afforded by the unique circumstances found in these isolate communities. These relate to hereditary dwarfism on Krk island, Mal de Melada on Mljet island, extreme inbreeding on Susak island and population genetics of cancer on the island of Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Vis and Lastovo. Finally, the authors develop objectives and strategies for long-term genetic epidemiological research of these populations and suggest that such a programme of investigation would further our understanding of the causes of (rare) disease which are uniquely important to these communities but also of common disease which are important contributors to the burden of disease both in these islands and throughout the world.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita, Etnologija i antropologija

POVEZANOST RADA