A Population-Based Twin Study of Lifetime Major Depression in Men and Women

摘要: Background Women report higher rates of major depression (MD) than men. Although genetic factors play an important etiologic role in MD, we are uncertain whether equal importance men and women, the same predispose women to MD. Methods We obtained, by telephone interview, a lifetime history defined DSM-III-R , from 3790 complete male-male, female-female, male-female twin pairs, identified through population-based registry. Results were analyzed using probandwise concordance, odds ratios, biometrical modeling. The ratios (plus tetrachoric correlations) for MD as follows: (1) male-male monozygotic, 3.29 (+0.37); (2) dizygotic, 1.86 (+0.20); (3) female-female 3.02 (+0.39); (4) 1.59 (+0.18); (5) 1.39 (+0.11). In best-fitting model, heritability liability was 39%, while remaining 61% variance due individual-specific environment. rejected, with only modest confidence, hypothesis that risk women. model estimated correlation 2 sexes be +0.57. While found no evidence suggest violation environment assumption, less common opposite-sex vs same-sex pairs. Conclusions Major is equally heritable most influence similarly sexes. However, genes may exist act differently on