Increased psychiatric morbidity in men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

• Context:Reports on psychiatric morbidity in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are lacking.Objective:To study psychiatric disorders in CAH males.Design, Setting and Participants:We studied males with CAH (21-hydroxylase deficiency, n=253; CYP21A2 mutations known, n=185), and compared them with controls (n=25300). Data were derived through linkage of national population-based registers. We assessed the subgroups of CYP21A2 genotype separately (null, I2splice, I172N, P30L and NC), as well as outcomes before and after the introduction of national neonatal screening in 1986.Main Outcome Measures:Psychiatric disorders including attempted and completed suicide (suicidality).Results:Psychiatric disorders (suicidality not included), suicidality and alcohol misuse were increased in CAH males compared with controls (OR 1.5, 2.3, and 1.9; 95%CI 1.1-2.2, 1.1-5.0, and 1.0-3.5). In the null genotype group, no increased rates were seen; in the I2splice group, psychiatric disorders, personality disorders and alcohol misuse were increased; in the I172N group suicide attempt and drug misuse were increased; and in the P30L and NC group psychotic disorders were increased. In CAH males born before the neonatal screening, the rate of psychiatric disorders and suicidality were increased, but only psychotic disorders in those born after. There was no increased risk for any neurodevelopmental disorder.Conclusions:CAH males have an increased psychiatric morbidity. Psychiatric morbidity was not raised in the most severe genotype group. Late diagnosis of CAH may explain some of the findings. Those born before the introduction of neonatal screening were more affected, which may be explained by the higher age.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

psykiatri

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)