The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex condition with an underlying genetic and environmental architecture characterized by correlations across multiple traits. Eight MetS traits (weight, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin) were measured in 79 White families  91 African American families  54 Mexican American families  and 19 Japanese American families  participating in the GENNID (Genetics of NIDDM) study. We estimated overall phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations between trait pairs using bivariate polygenic analyses. Across ethnic groups, there were similar overall phenotypic and environmental correlations but differences in genetic correlations. Evidence of incomplete pleiotropy (incomplete genetic correlation) was present among more trait pairs in Mexican Americans and Whites. Using these results, we classified trait pairs into priority groups and assessed post-hoc bivariate linkage LOD scores. For Whites and Japanese Americans, this prioritization identified trait pairs with significant LOD scores.

pleiotropy, multivariate linkage, polygenic analyses, quantitative trait, metabolic syndrome, correlation, GENNID.