Support for the association between RORA gene polymorphisms and the DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in male earthquake survivors in China

Background This study examined the association between interaction of retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA) (rs8042149) genotype x trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Methods A total of 1196 Chinese adults who suffered from a deadly 2008 Wenchuan earthquake participated in this study. PTSD symptoms were measured with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). A custom-by-design 2 × 48-Plex SNPscan™Kit were used to genotype the RORA rs8042149 SNP. Results Our results showed that the interaction of rs8042149 genotype x trauma exposure was associated with total PTSD symptoms in males. Moreover, the rs8042149 genotype x trauma exposure interaction was only associated with severity of the negative affect, anhedonia and dysphoric arousal symptoms in males. Limitations A moderate sample exposed to a specific event was assessed with a self-reported PTSD measure. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the functional role of RORA in PTSD, and adds to the knowledge for understanding the genetic underpinnings of PTSD. Moreover, this study carries implications for understanding the comorbidity of PTSD and the sex-specific expression of PTSD’s symptoms.