Genetic liability to asthma and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Epidemiological studies have suggested positive associations between asthma and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, causality remains inconclusive. We aim to explore the causal associations between asthma and CVDs risk using the Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.Methods: We obtained summary-level data for eight CVDs [including atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), stroke, ischemic stroke, large artery stroke, small vessel stroke, and cardioembolic stroke] from several large genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and the FinnGen consortium. Nine lead single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with asthma (p < 5 × 10−8) were identified from the GWAS conducted by the Trans-National Asthma Genetic Consortium. MR analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by the weighted median and MR-Egger methods.Results: Inverse variance weighted method showed suggestive effects of genetically determined asthma on AF (odds ratio (OR), 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02, 1.14; p = 0.009) and HF (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.09; p = 0.029). We found no causal associations between asthma and other CVDs. No horizontal pleiotropy was observed.Conclusion: This MR study provides genetic evidence suggesting a causal association between asthma and the risk of AF and HF, although not at the level of significance after multiple testing correction. Programs aimed at treating asthma among asthmatics might help prevent the adverse health effects inflicted by CVDs.

Transcriptome-wide association study reveals novel susceptibility genes for coronary atherosclerosis

“…Some studies demonstrated that adult-onset asthma was associated with CAD, especially in females ( 25 , 26 ), and the potential mechanism may involve systemic inflammation and cellular immunity. However, some bioinformatics analyses (such as MR) found that asthma was a causal factor for atrial fibrillation and heart failure, but not for CAD ( 27 , 28 ). Therefore, more research is needed to explore the relationship between asthma and coronary atherosclerosis.…”

Stress-Induced Hypercoagulability: Insights from Epidemiological and Mechanistic Studies, and Clinical Integration

“…106 A causal association between genetic liability to mood instability and 21 to 45% higher odds of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), CHD, DVT, or pulmonary embolism was partially mediated by dyslipidemia, body mass index, smoking, and depression. 107 Individuals with unstable mood may experience acute episodes of depressive mood and anger, both of which can act as triggers for ACS. 28,108 Low education level was causally associated with an increased risk of CHD, MI, ischemic stroke, PAD, DVT, and VTE, potentially mediated by cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors.…”

Association between age at first birth and depression: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018

“…Studies have shown that age at rst birth (AFB) is associated with many disorders [9][10][11][12][13], and that women who give birth earlier are more likely to be at risk of poor mental health and those who give birth later are more psychologically advantaged, but there are only a few studies that support the link between early and late childbearing and depression and there are contradictions [14,15]. Previous studies by Mirowsky J et al showed that the association between AFB and depression presented a U-shaped parabolic relationship in women, with a minimum around the age of 30 years [16].…”