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Relationship between disabling fatigue and depression in children: genetic study.
Tom A Fowler1, Frances Rice, Anita Thapar
1Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychological Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK. fowlerta@cardiff.ac.uk
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|September 2, 2006
Summary
Medically unexplained disabling fatigue in young people is familial. Genetic and environmental factors influencing fatigue are largely independent of depression, suggesting a distinct cause.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Medically unexplained disabling fatigue is common in young people.
- This condition often runs in families and is linked to depressed mood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shared genetic and environmental factors influencing fatigue and depression in adolescents.
- To understand the etiology of disabling fatigue in youth.
Main Methods:
- A population-based twin study involving parents and twins aged 8-17 years.
- Questionnaires assessed disabling fatigue and depressive symptoms (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire).
- Bivariate genetic analysis examined shared and specific influences.
Main Results:
- Data from 1468 twin pairs (parent-rated) and 930 older twin pairs (self-rated) were analyzed.
- Genetic and environmental influences on disabling fatigue were found to be primarily specific to fatigue.
- The relationship between fatigue and depression was examined.
Conclusions:
- Childhood disabling fatigue is significantly familial.
- The underlying causes of unexplained disabling fatigue are largely independent of depression.
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