ASPO Abstracts
Genetic Associations with Indoor Tanning Addiction
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention, Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Some young people are prone to develop addiction to indoor tanning along with psychiatric comorbidity. This study examined genetic hypotheses that liabilities in neurobiological addiction reward pathways influence risk of indoor tanning addiction and are affected by psychiatric comorbidity. Methods: Data were from an observational study investigating factors associated with indoor tanning addiction in a community sample of non-Hispanic white women ages 18-30 years with a history of indoor tanning in the past year. A total of 295 participants completed self-report measures and provided DNA samples. DNA samples were genotyped and analyzed for 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes involved in hypothesized addiction reward pathways (e.g., opioid and dopamine receptor genes). Self-report measures included indoor tanning frequency and dependence symptoms, appearance beliefs, and depressive symptoms. Results: Over 20% of the sample screened positive for indoor tanning addiction. Two SNPs in the DRD2 dopamine receptor gene, rs4436578 and rs4648318, were significantly associated (p < .05) with indoor tanning addiction after multiple testing adjustment using the false discovery rate. In logistic regression analyses adjusting for indoor tanning frequency, appearance beliefs, and depressive symptoms, homozygous major allele genotypes for both SNPs were associated with indoor tanning addiction (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.29, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.11-4.77, and OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.02-3.72, respectively). The major allele genotypes for both SNPs also interacted with depressive symptoms to influence the risk of indoor tanning addiction: OR 7.03, 95% CI 3.26-15.19, OR 4.35, 95% CI 2.06-9.20, respectively. Conclusions: This study is among the first to demonstrate SNPs in the DRD2 dopamine receptor gene are associated with indoor tanning addiction. Our findings demonstrate young women with risk-conferring genotypes and exhibiting depressive symptoms are at especially high risk. These data can inform personalized interventions tailored to neurobiological and behavioral differences to prevent melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Keywords: indoor tanning; addiction; genetics; skin cancer; prevention