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ABSTRACT: Background
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated, but it is unclear if this is a causal relationship or confounding. We used genetic analyses and sibling comparisons to clarify the direction of this relationship.Methods
Linkage disequilibrium score regression and 2-sample Mendelian randomization were used to test for genetic correlation (rg) and bidirectional causal effects using European ancestry genome-wide association studies of ADHD (20,183 cases and 35,191 controls) and 6 PTSD definitions (up to 320,369 individuals). Several additional variables were included in the analysis to verify the independence of the ADHD-PTSD relationship. In a population-based sibling comparison (N = 2,082,118 individuals), Cox regression models were fitted to account for time at risk, a range of sociodemographic factors, and unmeasured familial confounders (via sibling comparisons).Results
ADHD and PTSD had consistent rg (rg range, 0.43-0.52; p < .001). ADHD genetic liability was causally linked with increased risk for PTSD (β = 0.367; 95% CI, 0.186-0.552; p = 7.68 × 10-5). This result was not affected by heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy (Mendelian randomization Egger intercept = 4.34 × 10-4, p = .961), or other phenotypes and was consistent across PTSD datasets. However, we found no consistent associations between PTSD genetic liability and ADHD risk. Individuals diagnosed with ADHD were at a higher risk for developing PTSD than their undiagnosed sibling (hazard ratio = 2.37; 95% CI, 1.98-3.53).Conclusions
Our findings add novel evidence supporting the need for early and effective treatment of ADHD, as patients with this diagnosis are at significantly higher risk to develop PTSD later in life.
SUBMITTER: Wendt FR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10496427 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Wendt Frank R FR Garcia-Argibay Miguel M Cabrera-Mendoza Brenda B Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A UA Gelernter Joel J Stein Murray B MB Nivard Michel G MG Maihofer Adam X AX Nievergelt Caroline M CM Larsson Henrik H Mattheisen Manuel M Polimanti Renato R Meier Sandra M SM
Biological psychiatry 20220824 4
<h4>Background</h4>Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated, but it is unclear if this is a causal relationship or confounding. We used genetic analyses and sibling comparisons to clarify the direction of this relationship.<h4>Methods</h4>Linkage disequilibrium score regression and 2-sample Mendelian randomization were used to test for genetic correlation (r<sub>g</sub>) and bidirectional causal effects using European ancestry genome ...[more]