Experiences of ethnic discrimination and COMT rs4680 polymorphism are associated with depressive symptoms in Latinx adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

The sample was relatively small, with 124 adults, and most reported low levels of discrimination and depressive symptoms. The study looked at baseline data only, so it cannot show that discrimination or the rs4680 variant caused depressive symptoms. The participants were primary Spanish-speaking Latinx adults in central Kentucky, so the findings may not apply to other Latinx populations. Antidepressant medication use could not be controlled for in all participants because some medication data were missing. The rs4680 moderation result was not significant, so the study does not support using the gene to identify who is most affected by discrimination.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The article is listed as NIH extramural research support.

Do not read this as evidence that ethnic discrimination or rs4680 causes depressive symptoms. The study measured them at baseline in 124 adults with low reported symptoms, and it did not test any treatment or screening approach.