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Structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for dimensional representations of DSM–IV anxiety disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Kristian Tambs*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway, and Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Nikolai Czajkowsky
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo
Espen R⊘ysamb
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
Michael C. Neale
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Norway
Steven H. Aggen
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Jennifer R. Harris
Affiliation:
Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo
Ragnhild E. ⊘rstavik
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
Kenneth S. Kendler
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
*
Kristian Tambs, Department of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo 3, Norway. Email: kristian.tambs@fhi.no
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Abstract

Background

Twin data permit decomposition of comorbidity into genetically and environmentally derived correlations. No previous twin study includes all major forms of anxiety disorder.

Aims

To estimate the degree to which genetic and environmental risk factors are shared rather than unique to dimensionally scored panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive–compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Method

Data obtained from 2801 young-adult Norwegian twins by means of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview were analysed with the Mx program.

Results

A multivariate common factor model fitted best. The latent liability to all anxiety disorders was substantially more heritable (54%) than the individual disorders (23% to 40%). Most of the genetic effect was common to the disorders. Genes contributed just over 50% to the covariance between liabilities.

Conclusions

The five anxiety disorders all share genetic and environmental risk factors. This has implications for the revision of the anxiety disorder section in DSM–V.

Information

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2009 
Figure 0

Table 1Prevalence estimates for men and women

Figure 1

Table 2Phenotypic correlations between five anxiety disorders and loadings from a single-factor confirmatory factor analysis

Figure 2

Table 3Magnitude and origin of genetic, shared environmental and individual-specific environmental effects for five anxiety disorders from the best-fit common factor model

Figure 3

Fig. 1Parameter estimates for five anxiety disorders from a full multivariate common pathway model. A, additive genetic factors; C, environmental factors shared by co-twins; E, environmental non-shared factors; GAD, generalised anxiety disorder; OCD, obsessive–compulsive disorder; PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. Subscripts Pa, G, Ph, O and Pt denote panic, GAD, phobias, OCD and PTSD respectively; subscript C denotes ‘common’ (i.e. common to all disorders). Note: some of the confidence intervals are approximate.

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