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Xu R, Chen R, Xu S, Ding Y, Zheng T, Ouyang C, Ding X, Chen L, Zhang W, Ge C, Li S. An Exploration of Shared Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease and Cancer from 109 Traits: The Evidence from Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Studies. Rev Cardiovasc Med 2024; 25:245. [PMID: 39139410 PMCID: PMC11317334 DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2507245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Although observational studies have reported several common biomarkers related to coronary artery disease (CAD) and cancer, there is a shortage of traditional epidemiological data to establish causative linkages. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to systematically investigate the causal associations of 109 traits with both CAD and cancer to identify their shared risk and protective factors. Methods The genetic association datasets pertaining to exposure and outcomes were reviewed using the most recent and public genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median (WM), and MR-Egger strategies were implemented for the MR analyses. The heterogeneity and pleiotropy were measured utilizing leave-one-out sensitivity testing, MR-PRESSO outlier detection, and Cochran's Q test. Results The IVW analyses revealed that genetic-predicted mean sphered cell volume (MSCV) is a protective factor for CAD, and weight is a risk factor. MSCV and weight also show similar effects on cancer. Furthermore, our study also identified a set of risk and protective factors unique to CAD and cancer, such as telomere length. Conclusions Our Mendelian randomization study sheds light on shared and unique risk and protective factors for CAD and cancer, offering valuable insights that could guide future research and the development of personalized strategies for preventing and treating these two significant health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Quanzhou Medical College, 362011 Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Rumeng Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 102488 Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 102488 Beijing, China
| | - Yining Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 102488 Beijing, China
| | - Tingjin Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 362000 Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Chaoqun Ouyang
- Department of Pharmacy, Quanzhou Medical College, 362011 Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoming Ding
- Department of Basic Medicine, Quanzhou Medical College, 362011 Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Quanzhou Medical College, 362011 Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Quanzhou Medical College, 362011 Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Chenjin Ge
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200071 Shanghai, China
| | - Sen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 102488 Beijing, China
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Fu Q, Chen R, Xu S, Ding Y, Huang C, He B, Jiang T, Zeng B, Bao M, Li S. Assessment of potential risk factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: evidence from a Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1276836. [PMID: 38260157 PMCID: PMC10801737 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1276836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research on the association between risk factors and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) primarily comprises observational studies with inconclusive results. The objective of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between 108 traits and GDM by employing a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to identify potential risk factors of GDM. Methods We conducted MR analyses to explore the relationships between traits and GDM. The genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for traits were primarily based on data from the UK Biobank (UKBB), while the GWAS for GDM utilized data from FinnGen. We employed a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5% to account for multiple comparisons. Results The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method indicated that the genetically predicted 24 risk factors were significantly associated with GDM, such as "Forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1)" (OR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.92), "Forced vital capacity (FVC)" (OR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.87), "Usual walking pace" (OR=0.19; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.39), "Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)" (OR=0.86; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.94). The sensitivity analyses with MR-Egger and weighted median methods indicated consistent results for most of the trats. Conclusion Our study has uncovered a significant causal relationship between 24 risk factors and GDM. These results offer a new theoretical foundation for preventing or mitigating the risks associated with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingming Fu
- School of Stomatology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Rumeng Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yining Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chunxia Huang
- School of Stomatology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Binsheng He
- The Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the TCM Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- School of Stomatology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Zeng
- School of Stomatology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Meihua Bao
- The Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the TCM Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
- Hunan key laboratory of the research and development of novel pharmaceutical preparations, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Sen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Li J, Zhang J, Kong B, Chen L, Yuan J, He M, Wang Y, Wei S, Chen W, Tang Y, Zhu X, Yao P. Abdominal obesity mediates the causal relationship between depression and the risk of gallstone disease: retrospective cohort study and Mendelian randomization analyses. J Psychosom Res 2023; 174:111474. [PMID: 37689051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to explore the causal effect of depression on the risk of gallstone disease, and the mediation effects of metabolic traits. METHODS A retrospective cohort study on Chinese elderly from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort (including 18,141 individuals) was conducted to estimate the adverse effect of probable depression on the risk of gallstone disease. Two-sample Mendelian randomization was performed in European and East-Asian ancestries, to verify the causal relationship between major depression and gallstone disease. We further applied two-step Mendelian randomization to explore the mediation effects of metabolic traits. RESULTS In the cohort study, probable depression was associated with an increased risk of gallstone disease within 5 years, with RR (95% CI) of 1.33 (1.12, 1.58) in multivariable regression, and 1.34 (1.11, 1.61) following propensity score weighting. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization in European ancestry revealed a positive causal effect (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.37) of genetically predicted major depression liability on gallstone disease, based on the inverse variance weighted method. Little evidence was presented from other complementary approaches, and the analysis in East-Asian ancestry (IVW estimated OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.15). The indirect effect via waist circumference and HDL-C were 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.10) and 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00 to 1.01) respectively, which mediated 25.8% and 3.78% of the causal relationship. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested a higher risk of gallstone disease in the population with probable depression, while the two-sample Mendelian randomization provided weak evidence for the causal relationship, which was moderately mediated by abdominal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxi Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Bingxuan Kong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Meian He
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Youjie Wang
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Sheng Wei
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuhan Tang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xinhong Zhu
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ping Yao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Zheng X, Hao X, Li W, Ding Y, Yu T, Wang X, Li S. Dissecting the mediating and moderating effects of depression on the associations between traits and coronary artery disease: A two-step Mendelian randomization and phenome-wide interaction study. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100394. [PMID: 37701760 PMCID: PMC10493261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is often present concurrently with coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease with which it shares many risk factors. However, the manner in which depression mediates and moderates the association between traits (including biomarkers, anthropometric indicators, lifestyle behaviors, etc.) and CAD is largely unknown. Methods In our causal mediation analyses using two-step Mendelian randomization (MR), univariable MR was first used to investigate the causal effects of 108 traits on liability to depression and CAD. The traits with significant causal effects on both depression and CAD, but not causally modulated by depression, were selected for the second-step analyses. Multivariable MR was used to estimate the direct effects (independent of liability to depression) of these traits on CAD, and the indirect effects (mediated via liability to depression) were calculated. To investigate the moderating effect of depression on the association between 364 traits and CAD, a cross-sectional phenome-wide interaction study (PheWIS) was conducted in a study population from UK Biobank (UKBB) (N=275,257). Additionally, if the relationship between traits and CAD was moderated by both phenotypic and genetically predicted depression at a suggestive level of significance (Pinteraction≤0.05) in the PheWIS, the results were further verified by a cohort study using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Univariable MR indicated that 10 of 108 traits under investigation were significantly associated with both depression and CAD, which showed a similar direct effect compared to the total effect for most traits. However, the traits "drive faster than speed limit" and "past tobacco smoking" were both exceptions, with the proportions mediated by depression at 24.6% and 7.2%, respectively. In the moderation analyses, suggestive evidence of several traits was found for moderating effects of phenotypic depression or susceptibility to depression, as estimated by polygenic risk score, including chest pain when hurrying, reason of smoking quitting and weight change. Consistent results were observed in survival analyses and Cox regression. Conclusion The independent role of traits in CAD pathogenesis regardless of depression was highlighted in our mediation analyses, and the moderating effects of depression observed in our study may be helpful for CAD risk stratification and optimized allocation of scarce medical resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangying Zheng
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xuezeng Hao
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weixin Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yining Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Zhao S, Li Y, Su C. Assessment of common risk factors of diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1265719. [PMID: 37780623 PMCID: PMC10535100 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1265719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The increasing prevalence of diabetes and its significant impact on mortality and morbidity rates worldwide has led to a growing interest in understanding its common risk factors, particularly in relation to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This research article aims to investigate the shared risk factors between type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and CKD using a Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Methods The study utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for T1D, T2D, and CKD from the FinnGen research project. GWAS summary statistics datasets for 118 exposure traits were obtained from the IEU OpenGWAS database. MR analyses were conducted to examine the causal relationships between exposure traits and each of the three outcomes. Multiple methods, including inverse-variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger, were employed for the MR studies. Results Phenome-wide MR analyses revealed that eosinophil percentage exhibited a significant and suggestive causal association with T1D and CKD, respectively, suggesting its potential as a shared risk factor for T1D and CKD. For T2D, 34 traits demonstrated significant associations. Among these 34 traits, 14 were also significantly associated with CKD, indicating the presence of common risk factors between T2D and CKD, primarily related to obesity, height, blood lipids and sex hormone binding globulin, blood pressure, and walking pace. Conclusion This research has uncovered the eosinophil percentage as a potential common risk factor for both T1D and CKD, while also identifying several traits, such as obesity and blood lipids, as shared risk factors for T2D and CKD. This study contributes to the understanding of the common risk factors between diabetes and CKD, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwu Zhao
- Department of Pain, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiming Li
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Naval Medical University/Second Military University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Su
- Department of Pain, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Schooling CM, Zhao JV. Insights into Causal Cardiovascular Risk Factors from Mendelian Randomization. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:67-76. [PMID: 36640254 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-022-01829-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW This review summarizes major insights into causal risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by using Mendelian randomization (MR) to obtain unconfounded estimates, contextualized within its strengths and weaknesses. RECENT FINDINGS MR studies have confirmed the role of major CVD risk factors, including alcohol, smoking, adiposity, blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, lipids, and possibly inflammation, but added that the relation with alcohol is likely linear, confirmed the role of diastolic blood pressure, identified apolipoprotein B as the major target lipid, and foreshadowed results of some trials concerning anti-inflammatories. Identifying a healthy diet and the role of early life influences, such as birth weight, has proved more difficult. Use of MR has winnowed empirically driven hypotheses about CVD into a set of genetically validated targets of intervention. Greater inclusion of global diversity in genetic studies and the use of an overarching framework would enable even more informative MR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Schooling
- School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, 55 West 125th St, NY, 10027, New York, USA. .,School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - J V Zhao
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Guo Y, Gao J, Liu Y, Jia Y, An X, Zhang X, Su P. An examination of causal associations and shared risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in the East Asian population: A Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1132298. [PMID: 36909309 PMCID: PMC9999111 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1132298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the major contributors to disability and mortality among diabetics is cardiovascular disease (CVD), with coronary artery disease (CAD) as the most prevalent type. However, previous studies have provided controversial evidence linking diabetes to other types of CVDs, such as atrial fibrillation (AF). In addition, the risk factors that predispose people to the risk of diabetes and its complications differ across ethnicities, but the disease risk profiles in the East Asian population have been less investigated. METHODS The causal association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and two types of CVDs (i.e., AF and CAD) in the East Asian population was first studied using Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Next, we examined the causal effect of 49 traits on T2D and CAD to identify their separate and shared risk factors in East Asians. A causal mediation analysis was performed to examine the role of T2D in mediating the relationship between the identified shared risk factors and CAD. RESULTS T2D was causally associated with CAD, but not AF, in East Asians. A screening of the risk factors indicated that six and 11 traits were causally associated with T2D and CAD, respectively, with suggestive levels of evidence. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was the only trait associated with both T2D and CAD, as revealed by the univariable MR analyses. Moreover, the causal association between ALP and CAD no longer existed after adjusting T2D as a covariable in the causal mediation study. CONCLUSION Our study highlights the risk profiles in the East Asian population, which is important in formulating targeted therapies for T2D and CVDs in East Asians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Guo
- *Correspondence: Yulin Guo, ; Pixiong Su,
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pixiong Su
- *Correspondence: Yulin Guo, ; Pixiong Su,
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Hao X, Li W, Shi R, Wang Q. Investigating the causal mediating effect of type 2 diabetes on the relationship between traits and systolic blood pressure: A two-step Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1090867. [PMID: 36589843 PMCID: PMC9800519 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1090867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension commonly coexist, and we presumed that T2DM might mediate the relationship between some shared risk factors and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Methods The causal association between T2DM and SBP was first confirmed using Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, and a two-step MR design was then used to test the causal mediating effect of T2DM on the relationship between 107 traits and SBP using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies. Results T2DM was causally associated with SBP. The univariable MR of the two-step causal mediation analyses suggested that 44 and 45 of the 107 traits had causal associations with T2DM and SBP, respectively. Five of the 27 traits that were significantly associated with both T2DM and SBP could not be reversely altered by T2DM and were included in the second step of the causal mediation analyses. The results indicated that most of the investigated traits causally altered SBP independent of T2DM, but the partial causal mediating effect of T2DM on the association between fasting insulin and SBP was successfully identified with a mediation proportion of 33.6%. Conclusions Our study provides novel insights into the role of risk factors in the comorbidity of T2DM and high blood pressure, which is important for long-term disease prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezeng Hao
- Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Weixin Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiqing Shi
- Respiratory Endocrine Department, Beijing Fengtai You′anmen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Walker VM, Zheng J, Gaunt TR, Smith GD. Phenotypic Causal Inference Using Genome-Wide Association Study Data: Mendelian Randomization and Beyond. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2022; 5:1-17. [PMID: 35363507 PMCID: PMC7614231 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-122120-024910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
statistics for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are increasingly available for downstream analyses. Meanwhile, the popularity of causal inference methods has grown as we look to gather robust evidence for novel medical and public health interventions. This has led to the development of methods that use GWAS summary statistics for causal inference. Here, we describe these methods in order of their escalating complexity, from genetic associations to extensions of Mendelian randomization that consider thousands of phenotypes simultaneously. We also cover the assumptions and limitations of these approaches before considering the challenges faced by researchers performing causal inference using GWAS data. GWAS summary statistics constitute an important data source for causal inference research that offers a counterpoint to nongenetic methods when triangulating evidence. Continued efforts to address the challenges in using GWAS data for causal inference will allow the full impact of these approaches to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venexia M Walker
- MRC (Medical Research Council) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Jie Zheng
- MRC (Medical Research Council) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- MRC (Medical Research Council) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC (Medical Research Council) Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
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