Associations of a family history of lupus with the risks of lupus and major psychiatric disorders in first-degree relatives

Background: Genetic factors link psychiatric disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Additionally, maternal SLE is a risk factor for long-term developmental problems, particularly learning disabilities, attention disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and speech disorders, in children. Aim: We aimed to determine whether first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with SLE have increased risks of SLE and major psychiatric disorders. Design and methods: Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we recruited 40 462 FDRs of patients with SLE as well as 161 848 matched controls. The risks of major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, MDD, ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were assessed. Results: The FDRs of patients with SLE had higher risks of SLE (reported as the adjusted relative risk and 95% confidence interval: 14.54; 12.19-17.34), MDD (1.23; 1.12-1.34), ADHD (1.60; 1.55-1.65), OCD (1.41; 1.14-1.74) and bipolar disorder (1.18; 1.01-1.38) compared with controls. Specifically, male FDRs of patients with SLE had higher risks of SLE and bipolar disorder, whereas female FDRs of patients with SLE had higher risks of MDD and OCD. Differences in the familial relationship (i.e. parents, children, siblings and twins) were consistently associated with higher risks of these disorders compared with controls. Conclusions: The FDRs of patients with SLE had higher risks of SLE, MDD, ADHD, OCD and bipolar disorder than the controls.