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In a new study, researchers from the Danish iPSYCH project show that people with the highest genetic propensity are two and a half times more likely to be treated in a psychiatric hospital for depression than people with the lowest propensity. . This knowledge could be used to strengthen prevention efforts with people at risk.
In Denmark, 15.5% of women and 9% of men receive treatment for depression in a psychiatric hospital at a given stage of their life. Depression is a common but very serious condition that is very expensive for both the individual and society as a whole.
The researchers have now completed a study in which they followed 34,500 Danes for 20 years and measured their genetic risk of developing depression.
"The study showed that the risk of being treated for depression in a psychiatric hospital was more than two-and-a-half times higher in people with a high polygenic risk score," says the professor at iPSYCH. and contributor to the Esben Agerbo study.
Polygenetics means that the disease is not related to a single disease gene, but to multiple genes. In other words, it means that many genes determine whether a person is predisposed to developing depression.
Easier to identify people
"We know that depression is partly determined by genetic factors, and it is now possible to directly measure genetic propensity – rather than having to rely on family history to guess the genetic mechanisms of the disease. depression, "says Esben Agerbo.
The polygenetic score was not related to factors such as mild, moderate, severe or psychotic symptoms, treatment setting or age at the time of the first visit to the hospital, which could mean that these aspects are more determined by environmental factors.
The results of the study have just been published in the scientific journal JAMA Psychiatry.
"We hope that by using genetic information in conjunction with known risk factors in the environment, we will be able to develop better methods for identifying people at risk of developing depression," said Katherine L. Musliner, postdoc at IPSYCH. is behind the study.
However, the results also show that the relationship between genetics and mental illness is complex. There is no "depression gene" and even those with the highest genetic propensity will not necessarily develop depression.
"The ability to identify people at increased risk of developing depression is helpful because it will allow us to focus prevention efforts on those who will benefit the most," said Katherine L. Musliner.
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Material provided by University of Aarhus. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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