The use of PhenX measures will facilitate downstream harmonization and meta-analysis. The compelling need to combine studies and to take advantage of legacy data has led to efforts to harmonize similar data elements. Harmonization efforts such as P3G, DataSHaPER, and the Gene Environment Association Studies (GENEVA) consortium are currently under way. DataSHaPER is focused on developing tools for retrospective data harmonization (26). The GENEVA consortium has established a unified framework for genotyping, data quality control, analysis, and interpretation (14). Harmonization methods that make it possible to compare or combine related data types for meta-analysis have proven to be very effective (29) and will always be an option.
