Genetic, lifestyle and environmental influences on health: A Finnish biobank recall study protocol (BioRecall)
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Introduction Noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of premature mortality worldwide. Both genetic predispositions and environmental exposure affect disease risk. While biobanks have increased understanding of genetic predictors of these diseases, environmental influences are expected to have a greater impact on disease development. Individuals also create their own environments and lifestyles based on genetically regulated preferences, leading to gene-environment interactions that require large datasets to study. Biobanks may lack sufficient lifestyle and environmental data, which limits their use. We present a protocol for a biobank-recall study (BioRecall) to collect data on lifestyle and environmental exposure and combine these findings with genotypes, biological samples and clinical outcomes. Methods and analysis All previously genotyped donors of the Central Finland Biobank diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and consenting to recalls will be invited to the pilot study. The preliminary feasibility assessment reveals that there are 1,386 suitable candidates. Participants will complete an electronic questionnaire on a secured online platform. The questionnaire includes validated questions on lifestyles, anthropometrics, weight loss history, health, symptoms, work characteristics, emotional states and residential environments. Postcode information will facilitate the addition of spatial environmental data. Genotype and related clinical data will be provided in the study in accordance with the Finnish Biobank Act and combined with questionnaire data. Ethics and open data The Human Sciences Ethics Committee of the University of Jyvaskyla delivered a favourable statement regarding the study protocol (1671/13.00.04.00/2023). Central Finland Biobank approved the research plan (no: BB24-0333-A01). The data collected will be returned to the Central Finland Biobank for research purposes with the participants' consent. Permission for data usage can then be applied through standard protocols of the Fingenious service (www.fingenious.fi). If successful, the study will be expanded to other donors and Finnish biobanks.
