Analysis of the Relationship of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clarifies Relationship Directionality

In the current issue of Biological Psychiatry, Wendt et al. ( 1 Wendt F.R. Garcia-Argibay M. Cabrera-Mendoza B. Valdimarsdóttir U.A. Gelernter J. Stein M.B. et al. The relationship of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization and population-based sibling comparison study. Biol Psychiatry. 2023; 93: 362-369 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (8) Google Scholar ) describe several robust analyses that collectively fill in important knowledge gaps toward understanding the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That association is well documented, with a prior meta-analysis of 22 studies reporting increased rates of PTSD in subjects with ADHD and vice versa ( 2 Spencer A.E. Faraone S.V. Bogucki O.E. Pope A.L. Uchida M. Milad M.R. et al. Examining the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016; 77: 72-83 Crossref PubMed Scopus (61) Google Scholar ). Studies using control subjects who had experienced trauma found an increased risk of PTSD in individuals with ADHD, suggesting that the association is not entirely due to increased trauma rates in individuals with ADHD ( 2 Spencer A.E. Faraone S.V. Bogucki O.E. Pope A.L. Uchida M. Milad M.R. et al. Examining the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016; 77: 72-83 Crossref PubMed Scopus (61) Google Scholar ). Finding factors responsible for this bidirectional association has clinical implications. It could impact early diagnosis and treatment for one disorder after diagnosis with the other. Understanding the cause of the association could also reveal new areas in which to focus research to better understand both disorders. SEE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE ON PAGE 362 SEE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE ON PAGE 362 The Relationship of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization and Population-Based Sibling Comparison StudyBiological PsychiatryVol. 93Issue 4PreviewAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated, but it is unclear if this is a causal relationship or confounding. We used genetic analyses and sibling comparisons to clarify the direction of this relationship. Full-Text PDF