Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Individual Susceptibility (individual + susceptibility)
Selected AbstractsP02 Analysis of coupled patch test reactions to nickel, cobalt and chromateCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Janice Hegewald Concomitant sensitizations to Nickel, Cobalt and Chromate are often observed among patch test patients. However, the reasons for being sensitized to two or more of these substances are not completely understood. Examination of IVDK (http://www.ivdk.org) patch test results with multivariate procedures has been conducted to further elucidate the mechanisms involved with these sensitizations and potential exposure factors that may have led to the concomitant sensitizations. Gender, age, occupational dermatitis, and construction work were considered and examined with multivariate logistic regression models with the dependent response variable being concurrent reactions to a metal pair versus no reactions. In addition to the aforementioned anamnestic data, examination of a poly-sensitizations variable (reactions to 1, 2, or 3 standard series allergens other than Nickel, Cobalt or Chromate) provided information regarding general susceptibility to positive patch test reactions. Combined reactions to Cobalt and Chromate were strongly linked to construction work (OR = 11.23 (7.46, 16.90)) and occupational dermatitis. Female patch test patients had a higher odds of a positive patch test reaction to both Nickel and Cobalt (OR = 4.73 (3.81, 5.87)). Sensitization to other, unrelated standard series substances was associated with concurrent reactions to all of the metal pairs. The association between construction work and Cobalt-Chromate reactions corresponds with the hypothesis that cement exposures lead to cobalt-chromate sensitizations. Individual susceptibility to delayed-type sensitizations, as represented by the poly-sensitization variable, also appears to be associated with coupled sensitizations to metals and warrants further examination. [source] Effect of crown fracture on the surrounding periodontiumDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Janaína Cristina Gomes To reach the long axis of the tooth, an impact device was applied to eight teeth of four adult dogs to produce trauma. Crown fractures involving the enamel and dentin, with or without pulpar exposure and without dislocation, mobility or gingival bleeding were analyzed within the post-trauma periods of 30 min, 1, 3, and 7 days. The force of impact that resulted in coronary fracture, although dissipated at the time of fracture, reverberated in the surrounding periodontium and may generate not only light histological alterations with a rapid re-establishment of the tissues, but also an intense inflammatory condition required as long as 7 days to clear up. The gravity of these inflammatory reactions unleashed in these teeth's periapical tissues depends on the absorption of impact by the periodontal structures and the individual susceptibility of each organism. [source] Time-distributed effect of exposure and infectious outbreaksENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 3 2009Elena N. Naumova Abstract Extreme weather affects the timing and intensity of infectious outbreaks, the resurgence and redistribution of infections, and it causes disturbances in human-environment interactions. Environmental stressors with high thermoregulatory demands require susceptible populations to undergo physiological adaptive processes potentially compromising immune function and increasing susceptibility to infection. In assessing associations between environmental exposures and infectious diseases, failure to account for a latent period between time of exposure and time of disease manifestation may lead to severe underestimation of the effects. In a population, health effects of an episode of exposure are distributed over a range of time lags. To consider such time-distributed lags is a challenging task given that the length of a latent period varies from hours to months and depends on the type of pathogen, individual susceptibility to the pathogen, dose of exposure, route of transmission, and many other factors. The two main objectives of this communication are to introduce an approach to modeling time-distributed effect of exposures to infection cases and to demonstrate this approach in an analysis of the association between high ambient temperature and daily incidence of enterically transmitted infections. The study is supplemented with extensive simulations to examine model sensitivity to response magnitude, exposure frequency, and extent of latent period. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Relationship between adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, number of coprescribed drugs, and drug load in a large cohort of consecutive patients with drug-refractory epilepsyEPILEPSIA, Issue 5 2010Maria Paola Canevini Summary Purpose:, To evaluate the adverse effects (AEs) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in adults with refractory epilepsy and their relationship with number of coprescribed AEDs and AED load. Methods:, Patients with refractory epilepsy were enrolled consecutively at 11 tertiary referral centers. AEs were assessed through unstructured interview and the Adverse Event Profile (AEP) questionnaire. AED loads were calculated as the sum of prescribed daily dose (PDD)/defined daily dose (DDD) ratios for each coprescribed AED. Results:, Of 809 patients enrolled, 709 had localization-related epilepsy and 627 were on polytherapy. AED loads increased with increasing number of AEDs in the treatment regimen, from 1.2 ± 0.5 for patients on monotherapy to 2.5 ± 1, 3.7 ± 1.1, and 4.7 ± 1.1 for those on two, three, and ,4 AEDs, respectively. The number of spontaneously reported AEs correlated with the number of AEs identified by the AEP (r = 0.27, p < 0.0001). AEP scores did not differ between patients with monotherapy and patients with polytherapy (42.8 ± 11.7 vs. 42.6 ± 11.2), and there was no correlation between AEP scores and AED load (r = ,0.05, p = 0.16). Conclusions:, AEs did not differ between monotherapy and polytherapy patients, and did not correlate with AED load, possibly as a result of physicians' intervention in individualizing treatment regimens. Taking into account the limitations of a cross-sectional survey, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that AEs are determined more by individual susceptibility, type of AEDs used, and physicians' skills, than number of coprescribed AEDs and AED load. [source] Change the Analyst and Not the System: A Different Approach to Intelligence ReformFOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2008Uri Bar-Joseph Recent intelligence failures, including first and foremost the mistaken estimate of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) prior to the war, show that a prime source of such failures is the adherence by analysts to preconceptions (or mind-sets) which entail the rejection of new information that contradicts it. The source of this kind of problem lies in well known psychological mechanisms. Yet official investigations into intelligence blunders have typically ignored this problem or have not suggested an appropriate solution thus far. Our paper suggests an original approach based on the fact that certain types of personalities are more likely than others to fall victim to these biased judgments. Existing psychological tests can help determine individual susceptibility to such tendencies. Therefore we suggest that intelligence organizations should pay far more attention to these personality characteristics, especially an analyst's level of openness, in recruitment, training, and promotion. Such attention would help create more effective reforms in intelligence than organizational models which advocate "devil's advocate" kind of solutions. [source] Biomarkers as biological indicators of xenobiotic exposureJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2001Fernando Gil Abstract The presence of a xenobiotic in the environment always represents a risk for living organisms. However, to talk about impregnation there is a need to detect toxicity in the organism, and the concept of intoxication is related to specific organ alterations and clinical symptoms. Moreover, the relationship between the toxic levels within the organism and the toxic response is rather complex and has a difficult forecast because it depends on several factors, namely toxicokinetic and genetic factors. One of the methods to quantify the interaction with xenobiotics and its potential impact on living organisms, including the human being, is monitoring by the use of the so-called biomarkers. They can provide measures of the exposure, toxic effect and individual susceptibility to environmental chemical compounds and may be very useful to assess and control the risk of long-term outcomes associated with exposure to xenobiotic (i.e. heavy metals, halogenated hydrocarbons, pesticides). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Relationship between IL-1A polymorphisms and gingival overgrowth in renal transplant recipients receiving Cyclosporin AJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Nagihan Bostanci Abstract Aim: Levels of interleukin-1, (IL-1,) are elevated in periodontal inflammation. IL-1A gene polymorphisms are associated with inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate IL-1A gene polymorphism in Cyclosporin A (CsA)-treated renal transplant patients and investigate the association between this polymorphism and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of several cytokines. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one renal transplant patients on CsA treatment (25 with and 26 without gingival overgrowth) and 29 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Demographic, pharmacological and periodontal parameters were recorded and gingival overgrowth was assessed. Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that genotype was significantly associated with gingival overgrowth (p=0.02). Carriage of the IL-1A (,889) T allele was strongly protective [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.046,0.77], although not significantly associated with IL-1, protein levels in GCF. IL-1,, IL-1, and IL-8, but not IL-6, were detected in GCF of CsA-treated patients, but none of them was significantly associated with gingival overgrowth. Conclusions: This study is the first to associate a gene polymorphism as a risk factor for CsA-induced gingival overgrowth in renal transplant patients, demonstrating that IL-1A polymorphism might alter individual susceptibility to CsA. However, there was no association between GCF cytokine levels and the presence of gingival overgrowth or patient IL-1A genotype. [source] Testing Genetic Susceptibility Loci for Alcoholic Heart Muscle DiseaseALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2001Olli A. Kajander Background: Although many heavy alcohol users have subclinical alcoholic heart muscle disease, only a very few develop severe dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, and because cardiac abnormalities correlate only weakly with the duration or quantity of drinking, individual susceptibility differences may exist. In this work we examined whether common gene variants previously associated with cardiac hypertrophy or altered alcohol metabolism could modify the effects of alcohol on the heart. Methods: We studied 700 middle-aged male victims of sudden death who underwent a medicolegal autopsy. In addition to routine postmortem examination, the weights and the cavity and wall dimensions of the left and right ventricle were measured. Coronary artery stenoses were determined from a silicone rubber cast of the arteries. Alcohol consumption and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by a structured interview of the spouse. The following gene polymorphisms were determined by using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism and solid-phase minisequencing techniques: angiotensin converting enzyme I/D, angiotensin II type 1 receptor 1166A/C, aldosterone synthase ,344C/T, alcohol dehydrogenases 2 and 3, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, and cytochrome P-450 2E1 Dra I, Pst I, Rsa I, and Msp I. Results: The most consistent effects of alcohol (p < 0.05) were a higher total heart weight and a larger right ventricle size with increasing daily drinking. However, these and other effects of alcohol were statistically fully independent of the studied genotypes. Conclusions: The gene polymorphisms selected for and analyzed in our study are unlikely to modify the effects of alcohol on the heart. Other unknown factors determine the individual susceptibility to alcoholic heart muscle disease. [source] NSAID-induced antral ulcers are associated with distinct changes in mucosal gene expressionALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2009J. C. DESAI Summary Background, The basis for individual variation in gastroduodenal vulnerability to NSAIDs is not well understood. Aim, To assess whether a gene expression signature is associated with susceptibility to gastroduodenal ulcerations. Methods, Twenty-five Helicobacter pylori negative adults were treated for 7 days with naproxen 500 mg b.d. Subjects underwent baseline and post-treatment endoscopy, during which biopsies were taken from antrum and duodenum. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed, followed by PCR of 23 genes relevant to mucosal injury and repair. Fold changes in gene expression were compared between subjects who developed ulcers and those who did not. Results, Compared with subjects who did not develop ulcers (n = 18), subjects who developed antral ulcers (n = 7) had significantly greater mucosal up-regulation of interleukin-8 [Fold change = 33.5 (S.E.M. = 18.5) vs. ,7.7 (3.2)] and of cyclo-oxygenase-2 [2.3 (1.7) vs. ,10.8 (2.2)]. Conversely, non-ulcer subjects had significantly greater up-regulation of toll-like receptor-4, cyclo-oxygenase-1 and hepatocyte growth factor [14.0 (2.2) vs. ,0.8 (1.0), 9.8 (2.4) vs. 0.0 (0.7) and 8.2 (2.6) vs. ,2.2 (0.3) respectively]. Conclusions, NSAID-induced antral ulcers are associated with a specific pattern of gastroduodenal mucosal gene expression. These patterns may provide an insight into the molecular basis of individual susceptibility to mucosal injury. [source] Review article: drug hepatotoxicityALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2007C. Y. CHANG SUMMARY Background Drug toxicity is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Further understanding of hepatotoxicity is becoming increasingly important as more drugs come to market. Aims (i) To provide an update on recent advances in our understanding of hepatotoxicity of select commonly used drug classes. (ii) To assess the safety of these medications in patients with pre-existing liver disease and in the post-liver transplant setting. (iii) To review relevant advances in toxicogenomics which contribute to the current understanding of hepatotoxic drugs. Methods A Medline search was performed to identify relevant literature using search terms including ,drug toxicity, hepatotoxicity, statins, thiazolidinediones, antibiotics, antiretroviral drugs and toxicogenomics'. Results Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is one of the most frequently implicated causes of drug-induced liver injury worldwide. Statins rarely cause clinically significant liver injury, even in patients with underlying liver disease. Newer thiazolidinediones are not associated with the degree of liver toxicity observed with troglitazone. Careful monitoring for liver toxicity is warranted in patients who are taking antiretrovirals, especially patients who are co-infected with hepatitis B and C. Genetic polymorphisms among enzymes involved in drug metabolism and HLA types may account for some of the differences in individual susceptibility to drug hepatotoxicity. Conclusions Drug-induced hepatotoxicity will remain a problem that carries both clinical and regulatory significance as long as new drugs continue to enter the market. Future results from ongoing multicentre collaborative efforts may help contribute to our current understanding of hepatotoxicity associated with drugs. [source] Association between asbestos exposure, cigarette smoking, myeloperoxidase (MPO) genotypes, and lung cancer riskAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2002Matthew B. Schabath MS Abstract Background As observed in tobacco-associated carcinogenesis, genetic factors such as the polymorphic metabolic/oxidative enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) could modulate individual susceptibility to asbestos-associated carcinogenesis. Methods RFLP-PCR analysis identified the MPO genotypes in 375 Caucasian lung cancer cases and 378 matched controls. An epidemiological interview elicited detailed information regarding smoking history and occupational history and exposures. Results Asbestos exposure was associated with a significantly elevated risk estimate (OR,=,1.45; 95% CI 1.04,2.02). On stratified analysis, we found the MPO genotypes modified the effect of asbestos exposure on lung cancer risk. Specifically, G/G carriers who were exposed to asbestos had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.72 (95% CI; 1.09,2.66), while A-allele carriers (G/A,+,A/A) exposed to asbestos exhibited a reduced OR of 0.89 (95% CI; 0.56,1.44). The OR was further reduced to 0.73 (0.49,1.06) for A-allele carriers not exposed to asbestos. A similar trend was observed for the joint effects between the MPO genotypes and pack-years smoking. Next, all three risk factors (MPO genotypes, asbestos exposure, and smoking) were analyzed simultaneously for joint effects. Heavy smokers with the G/G genotype and a history of asbestos exposure demonstrated a statistically significant elevated risk estimate (OR,=,2.19; 95% CI 1.16,4.11), while the A-allele carriers with the same exposure profile were at a lower risk for lung cancer (OR,=,1.18; 95% CI 0.58,2.38). The A-allele genotypes demonstrated similar protective effects for the other three exposure profiles. Conclusions For a similar level of exposure to established carcinogens, individuals with the MPO A-allele genotypes appear to have a reduced risk of lung cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:29,37, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Olivocochlear Activity and Temporary Threshold Shift-Susceptibility in HumansTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 11 2005W Wagner MD Abstract Study Objectives: Animal studies (guinea pig, cat, chinchilla) have shown that activity of the medial olivocochlear efferents can exert noise-protective effects on the cochlea. It is not yet known whether such effects are also existent in humans. Olivocochlear activity can be estimated indirectly by contralateral suppression (CS) of otoacoustic emissions (OAE). Material and Methods: We measured Input/Output functions of distortion products of OAE (DPOAE), with and without contralateral acoustic stimulation by white noise, in 94 normal hearing young male subjects. Seven stimuli with L2 between 20 and 60 dB SPL and L1 = 39 dB + 0.4 L2 ("scissor paradigm") were used at f2 = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 kHz. The measurement was repeated 2 weeks later. In 83 subjects of the same group, pure tone audiometry was registered before and 6 minutes after shooting exercises to evaluate individual susceptibility to develop a temporary threshold shift (TTS). Results: Test-retest repeatability of CS was generally good. CS averaged 0.98 dB SPL (SD 1.19 dB, median 0.56 dB). As expected, CS was greatest at low stimulus levels (median 1.06 dB at L2 = 20 dB, as compared with 0.33 dB at L2 = 60 dB). The smallest average CS was found at 4 kHz, and the greatest CS appeared at 2 kHz. A TTS occurred in 7 of 83 (8.5%) subjects. Statistical analysis did not reveal any correlation between the amount of CS and individual TTS susceptibility. Conclusions and Outlook: 1) Measurement of CS of DPOAE using an extensive measurement paradigm revealed good test-retest repeatability, confirming the reliability of this audiologic tool. 2) CS of DPOAE does not predict individual susceptibility to mild TTS induced by impulse noise in humans. Possible explanations for the missing association are discussed. Future perspectives include longitudinal studies to further elucidate the association between medial olivocochlear bundle-activity and permanent threshold shift in humans. The goal is to develop a diagnostic tool for the prediction of individual noise vulnerability in humans, thereby preventing noise-induced hearing loss. [source] Ego Boundaries, Shamanic-Like Techniques, and Subjective Experience: An Experimental StudyANTHROPOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS, Issue 1 2008ADAM J. ROCK ABSTRACT The subjective effects and therapeutic potential of the shamanic practice of journeying is well known. However, previous research has neglected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the subjective effects of shamanic-like journeying techniques on non-shamans. Shamanic-like techniques are those that demonstrate some similarity to shamanic practices and yet deviate from what may genuinely be considered shamanism. Furthermore, the personality traits that influence individual susceptibility to shamanic-like techniques are unclear. The aim of the present study was, thus, to investigate experimentally the effect of shamanic-like techniques and a personality trait referred to as "ego boundaries" on subjective experience including mood disturbance. Forty-three non-shamans were administered a composite questionnaire consisting of demographic items and a measure of ego boundaries (i.e., the Short Boundary Questionnaire; BQ-Sh). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: listening to monotonous drumming for 15 minutes coupled with one of two sets of journeying instructions; or sitting quietly with eyes closed for 15 minutes. Participants' subjective experience and mood disturbance were retrospectively assessed using the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) and the Profile of Mood States-Short Form, respectively. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between conditions with regard to the PCI major dimensions of visual imagery, attention and rationality, and minor dimensions of imagery amount and absorption. However, the shamanic-like conditions were not associated with a major reorganization of the pattern of subjective experience compared to the sitting quietly condition, suggesting that what is typically referred to as an altered state of consciousness effect was not evident. One shamanic-like condition and the BQ-Sh subscales need for order, childlikeness, and sensitivity were statistically significant predictors of total mood disturbance. Implications of the findings for the anthropology of consciousness are also considered. [source] ,93G,A polymorphism of hMLH1 and risk of primary lung cancerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2004Sun Ha Park Abstract Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may be associated with differences in the repair capacity of DNA damage and may thereby influence an individual's susceptibility to smoking-related cancer. We investigated the association between the ,93G,A polymorphism in the hMLH1 gene and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The hMLH1 ,93G,A polymorphism was typed in 372 lung cancer patients and 371 healthy controls that were frequency-matched for age and sex. There was no significant association between the hMLH1 ,93G,A genotype and the risk for adenocarcinoma or small cell carcinoma. However, the AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma compared with both the GG genotype (adjusted OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.15,3.55; p = 0.014) and the combined GG and GA genotype (adjusted OR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.24,2.71; p = 0.003). When the subjects were stratified by smoking exposure, the AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma in lighter smokers (, 39 pack-years; adjusted OR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.03,3.66; p = 0.039) compared with the combined GG and GA genotype, whereas there was no significant association in heavier smokers (> 39 pack-years; adjusted OR = 1.47; 95% CI = 0.82,2.61). These results suggest that the hMLH1 ,93G,A polymorphism could be used as a marker of genetic susceptibility to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Lack of association between pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-,) gene polymorphisms and Graves' diseaseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 6 2005R.-H. Chen Summary Graves' disease (GD) is a common, autoimmune disease involving the thyroid gland, and it has been previously suggested that pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the disease's pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to test whether the interleukin (IL)-6 gene promoter region, or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-, or IL-8 gene 3,-untranslated region (3,-UTR) polymorphisms could provide useful genetic markers for an individual's susceptibility to GD. A normal control group of 60 healthy people and 95 patients featuring GD were examined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis was performed for the three gene polymorphisms using endonucleases BsrBI, NcoI and ApaLI, respectively. We found no significant difference between the frequencies of genotype and allelic variants for the IL-6 gene promoter (,572 G/C), the TNF-, gene promoter (,308 A/G) and the IL-8 gene 3,-UTR (2767 A/G) for GD patients and for normal controls. Cytokines are a large group of proteins that may elicit multiple effects upon immunological reactions. It still appears to be very worthwhile to continue to aggressively search for cytokine gene polymorphisms in order to predict the development of such disease. [source] Association between the TAP2 gene codon 665 polymorphism and Graves' DiseaseJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2006Rong-Hsing Chen Abstract A total of 95 patients with active Graves' disease (GD) and 105 normal healthy subjects were enrolled in this study, which attempted to determine whether single-site polymorphisms of the transporter associated with antigen processing 2 (TAP2) gene contribute to an individual's susceptibility to GD. Such polymorphisms were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction analysis. Associations between GD and the three site polymorphisms of the TAP2 gene at codons 379, 565, and 665 were investigated. The results of the genotype analysis revealed that the frequency of the GG homozygote's presence at codon 665 was lower, and that of the AA homozygote's presence was greater in GD patients (15.8% and 36.8%, respectively) compared to normal controls (34.3% and 16.2%, respectively; P<0.001). The OR (OD) for the risk of occurrence for the AA homozygote and AG heterozygote compared to the GG homozygote (as was the case for the GD patients) was respectively 4.941 and 2.117, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 2.303,10.598 and 1.020,4.369. The allelic analysis also demonstrated reduced G and enhanced A allele frequencies for GD patients compared to controls (respectively 39.5% vs. 59.0% [G allele], and 60.5% vs. 41.0% [A allele]; P=0.0001; OR=2.219, 95% CI: 1.449,3.395). By contrast, the differences between patient and control groups for the frequency of appearance of genotypes and allelic variants at codon 379 (P=0.522 and P=0.306, respectively) and codon 565 (P=0.199 and P=0.157, respectively) did not appear to be significant. These data reveal that the single-site polymorphism of the TAP2 gene at codon 665 may be an indicator for predicting GD development. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 20:93,97, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Antecedents of consumer relative preference for interpersonal information sources in pre-purchase searchJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 5 2005Mehdi Mourali Abstract Past research has demonstrated clearly the importance of pre-purchase information search within the buying process. Scholars have identified several sources used by consumers in order to obtain information relevant to their purchase situation. Among the various information sources, interpersonal non-commercial sources seem to play an important role in consumers' choice decisions. The present study examines potential antecedents of consumer relative preference for interpersonal information search. The proposed antecedents include personality traits such as individuals' susceptibility to interpersonal influence, their need for cognition and their self-confidence, as well as individual differences in product knowledge and perceived risk associated with the purchase of a specific product. Using structural equation modelling on survey data (419 respondents), seven hypotheses , describing relationships between the diverse variables of the model , were tested. The results indicate that consumer relative preference for interpersonal information search was significantly influenced by consumers' susceptibility to interpersonal influence, their need for cognition, their self-confidence and their product knowledge. Consumers' product knowledge also influenced their perceived risk, which did not affect their preference for interpersonal search significantly. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||