Genetic Predisposition to Severe COVID-19 Might Increase the Risk of Stroke: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Abstract

Aims: The causal relationship between COVID-19 infection and stroke has not yet been fully established. This study aimed to explore this causality using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).Materials and Methods: Genetic variants associated with COVID-19 infection and stroke were both obtained from genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables. The standard inverse variance weighted (IVW) was primarily used to assess this causality. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the reliability and stability.Results: The results showed that being hospitalized due to COVID-19 had a positive effect on stroke [OR = 1.05; 95% CI= (1.01, 1.10); p = 2.34 × 10−5] and ischemic stroke [OR = 1.06; 95% CI= (1.02, 1.11); p = 2.28 × 10−6] analyzed by inverse variance weighted. Moreover, the results revealed that severe respiratory symptoms due to COVID-19 had a positive effect on stroke [OR = 1.04; 95% CI= (1.00, 1.06); p = 0.04] and that the causal effect of severe respiratory symptoms due to COVID-19 on ischemic stroke estimated by IVW suggested a positive effect [OR = 1.06; 95% CI= (1.02, 1.09); p = 0.0068], too.Conclusion: In summary, this study showed that severe COVID-19 might increase the risk of stroke, thus much more attention should be paid to patients with severe COVID-19.

Investigating the association of breast cancer and stroke: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…Summary statistics for stroke (40,585 cases and 406,111 controls) and ischemic stroke (34,217 cases and 406,111 controls) of European ancestry was obtained. [ 6 ] Additionally, the causal role of breast cancer on common etiological subtypes of ischemic stroke such as large artery atherosclerosis (4373 cases and 406,111 controls), cardioembolic stroke (7193 cases and 406,111 controls), and small-vessel stroke (5386 cases and 192,662 controls) was also evaluated. [ 7 ] Ischemic stroke subtypes were classified based on the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria.…”

Infection with critically ill COVID‐19 increases the risk of cardioembolic stroke

“…[3][4][5] Notably, the risk of stroke appears to be notably elevated in patients who have experienced severe COVID-19. 4,6 However, existing studies have certain limitations that warrant further exploration. First, previous investigations have predominantly focused on examining the association between COVID-19 and stroke, with the causal relationship pertaining to each stroke subtype, including ischemic stroke (IS), large-artery atherosclerotic stroke (LAS), cardioembolic stroke (CES), and small-vessel stroke (SVS), remaining unknown.…”

“…studies have indicated the potential for individuals to experience long-term cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications following recovery from severe COVID-19 infection. [3][4][5] Notably, the risk of stroke appears to be notably elevated in patients who have experienced severe COVID-19. 4,6 However, existing studies have certain limitations that warrant further exploration.…”