Evidence for a genetic overlap between body dysmorphic concerns and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in an adult female community twin sample

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evidence for a genetic overlap between body dysmorphic concerns and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in an adult female community twin sample

AU - Monzani, Benedetta

AU - Rijsdijk, Fruhling

AU - Iervolino, Alessandra C.

AU - Anson, Martin

AU - Cherkas, Lynn

AU - Mataix-Cols, David

PY - 2012/6

Y1 - 2012/6

N2 - Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is thought to be etiologically related to obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) but the available evidence is incomplete. The current study examined the genetic and environmental sources of covariance between body dysmorphic and obsessivecompulsive symptoms in a community sample of adult twins. A total of 2,148 female twins (1,074 pairs) completed valid and reliable measures of body dysmorphic concerns and obsessivecompulsive symptoms. The data were analyzed using bivariate twin modeling methods and the statistical programme Mx. In the best-fitting model, the covariation between body dysmorphic and obsessivecompulsive traits was largely accounted for by genetic influences common to both phenotypes (64%; 95% CI: 0.500.80). This genetic overlap was even higher when specific obsessivecompulsive symptom dimensions were considered, with up to 82% of the phenotypic correlation between the obsessing and symmetry/ordering symptom dimensions and dysmorphic concerns being attributable to common genetic factors. Unique environmental factors, although influencing these traits individually, did not substantially contribute to their covariation. The results remained unchanged when excluding individuals reporting an objective medical condition/injury accounting for their concern in physical appearance. The association between body dysmorphic concerns and obsessivecompulsive symptoms is largely explained by shared genetic factors. Environmental risk factors were largely unique to each phenotype. These results support current recommendations to group BDD together with OCD in the same DSM-5 chapter, although comparison with other phenotypes such as somatoform disorders and social phobia is needed.

AB - Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is thought to be etiologically related to obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) but the available evidence is incomplete. The current study examined the genetic and environmental sources of covariance between body dysmorphic and obsessivecompulsive symptoms in a community sample of adult twins. A total of 2,148 female twins (1,074 pairs) completed valid and reliable measures of body dysmorphic concerns and obsessivecompulsive symptoms. The data were analyzed using bivariate twin modeling methods and the statistical programme Mx. In the best-fitting model, the covariation between body dysmorphic and obsessivecompulsive traits was largely accounted for by genetic influences common to both phenotypes (64%; 95% CI: 0.500.80). This genetic overlap was even higher when specific obsessivecompulsive symptom dimensions were considered, with up to 82% of the phenotypic correlation between the obsessing and symmetry/ordering symptom dimensions and dysmorphic concerns being attributable to common genetic factors. Unique environmental factors, although influencing these traits individually, did not substantially contribute to their covariation. The results remained unchanged when excluding individuals reporting an objective medical condition/injury accounting for their concern in physical appearance. The association between body dysmorphic concerns and obsessivecompulsive symptoms is largely explained by shared genetic factors. Environmental risk factors were largely unique to each phenotype. These results support current recommendations to group BDD together with OCD in the same DSM-5 chapter, although comparison with other phenotypes such as somatoform disorders and social phobia is needed.

U2 - 10.1002/ajmg.b.32040

DO - 10.1002/ajmg.b.32040

M3 - Article

SN - 1552-4841

VL - 159B

SP - 376

EP - 382

JO - American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics

JF - American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics

IS - 4

ER -