Association of the 5‐HT2A receptor gene promoter polymorphism‐1438G/A with anorexia nervosa and psychopathological traits in the Chinese Han population: A preliminary study

Objective The aim of the study was to explore the possible role of the 5-HT2A-1438G/A polymorphism in the susceptibility to anorexia nervosa (AN) in the Chinese Han population. Methods The -1438G/A polymorphism of 249 female AN patients, 228 matched healthy controls, and 198 trios was genotyped using SNaP shot assay. Psychopathological traits of eating-disordered behaviors in AN subjects were examined using the Chinese version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Results Neither the case-control analysis nor the transmission disequilibrium test revealed significant associations between the -1438G/A polymorphism and AN (P > .05). However, AA homozygote patients with AN had lower weight and shape concern scores of the EDE-Q6.0 than those of GA heterozygotes (P < .05). Discussion Our findings suggested that female AN patients with 5-HT2A −1438AA genotype may be characterized by less severe eating-disordered psychopathological traits in the Chinese Han population.