Modification of the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms after Lorca's earthquakes (Murcia, Spain)

• Published in: Psychiatry research 2019-12, Vol.282, p.112640-112640, Article 112640
• Main Authors: Navarro-Mateu, Fernando, Escámez, Teresa, Quesada, M.Paz, Alcaráz, M. José, Vilagut, Gemma, Salmerón, Diego, Huerta, José M., Chirlaque, M.Dolores, Navarro, Carmen, Kessler, Ronald C., Alonso, Jordi, Martínez, Salvador
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms; Adult; Anxiety Disorders - genetics; Cross-Sectional Studies; Earthquakes; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genotype; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Natural Disasters; Polymorphism, Genetic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Risk Factors; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics; Spain; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - genetics; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112640

•Prior lifetime Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the main predictor of PTSD.•No main effect of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in predicting PTSD is demonstrated.•5-HTTLPR polymorphism modulates PTSD risk by gene x environment interactions. Information of the modulation effect of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after earthquakes is scarce and contradictory. A cross-sectional face-to-face interview survey of a representative sample of the adults was carried out after the Lorca (Spain) earthquakes (May 11, 2011). Socio-demographic variables, DSM-IV diagnostic assessment and earthquake-related stressors were obtained from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The triallelic and biallelic classification of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism were genotyped from buccal swabs. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to predict PTSD, including interaction terms to explore gene-environment (G x E) interactions. The vast majority (83%, n = 341) of the Lorca survey respondents (n = 412, 71% response rate) were genotyped. Both classifications of the 5-HTTLPR genotype were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Prior lifetime PTSD was the only variable that remained a significant predictor after adjustments. There were no significant main effects of earthquake related stressors or 5-HTTLPR. However, G x E interactions of 5-HTTLPR with high emotional impact and prior lifetime anxiety disorders were statistically significant. These results provide new evidence of the modulation effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms on PTSD risk. This information might characterize people at higher risk of developing PTSD after an earthquake exposure.