Association of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype with depression in elderly persons after hip fracture.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) as a predictor of major depressive disorder and depressive symptoms after hip fracture, a common stressful medical event.


METHODS
This was a prospective, observational study of 23 elderly rehabilitation-hospital patients during their inpatient stay. Depressive symptoms were assessed by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D) and PRIME-MD. Subjects were also genotyped for 5-HTTLPR.


RESULTS
Survival analysis showed that genotype significantly predicted time-to-major depressive episode. Subjects with an s allele (genotype s/l or s/s) had significantly higher Ham-D scores over 14 weeks of follow-up than those with the l/l genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder in elderly persons after a stressful medical event may be associated with 5-HTTLPR genotype. This finding requires confirmation in a larger sample.
Lenze
Eric J
EJ
Intervention Research Center for the Study of Late-Life Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. lenzeej@upmc.edu
Munin
Michael C
MC
Ferrell
Robert E
RE
Pollock
Bruce G
BG
Skidmore
Elizabeth
E
Lotrich
Francis
F
Rogers
Joan C
JC
Quear
Tanya
T
Houck
Patricia
P
Reynolds
Charles F
CF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000523:psychology*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins