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Major depression and dimensional representations of DSM-IV personality disorders: a population-based twin study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 November 2009

T. Reichborn-Kjennerud ,
N. Czajkowski ,
E. Røysamb ,
R. E. Ørstavik ,
M. C. Neale ,
S. Torgersen  and
K. S. Kendler
T. Reichborn-Kjennerud*
Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Norway Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
N. Czajkowski
Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
E. Røysamb
Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
R. E. Ørstavik
Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
M. C. Neale
Affiliation:
The Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics and Departments of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
S. Torgersen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
K. S. Kendler
Affiliation:
The Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics and Departments of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: T. Reichborn-Kjennerud, M.D., Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Box 4404Nydalen, N-0403Oslo, Norway. (Email: ted.reichborn-kjennerud@fhi.no)
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Abstract

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) co-occurs frequently with personality disorders (PDs). The extent to which this results from shared genetic or environmental risk factors remains uncertain.

Method

Young adult twins (n=2801) from the population-based Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel were assessed at personal interview for DSM-IV lifetime MDD and the 10 Axis II PDs. The relationship between MDD and dimensional representations of all PDs was explored by stepwise logistic regression. Multivariate Cholesky twin models were fitted using the Mx program, and genetic and environmental correlations were estimated.

Results

Dimensional representations of borderline (BPD), avoidant (AVPD) and paranoid personality disorder (PPD) were independently and significantly associated with increased risk for MDD. Multivariate twin modeling indicated that one latent factor accounted for the genetic covariance between MDD and the three PDs. The genetic correlations between MDD and dimensional representations of BPD, AVPD and PPD were +0.56, +0.22 and +0.40 respectively. No sex differences or shared environmental effects were found. The structure of the individual-specific environmental factors influencing MDD and the three PDs were similar to the genetic factors but the environmental correlations were lower: +0.39, +0.23 and +0.27 respectively.

Conclusions

There is substantial overlap between liability factors for MDD and BPD from cluster B, PPD from cluster A and AVPD from cluster C. The vulnerability to general PD pathology and MDD seem to be closely related. The patterns of co-morbidity observed between diverse psychiatric disorders might result from just a few liability factors.

Keywords

Borderline personality disorderdepressiongeneticspersonality disorderstwin studies
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 9 , September 2010 , pp. 1475 - 1484
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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