COPD is a highly prevalent disorder that results from the interplay of genetic susceptibility
and environmental exposures. Over the past 2 decades, significant technological advances
have been made in genetic investigations of complex diseases, yet limited progress has
been made in the identification of additional COPD susceptibility genes. Genetic and
phenotypic heterogeneity, limited power due to modest study population sizes, and
significant modification of genetic effects by environmental factors pose significant …