[Causal relationship between sleep and coronary artery disease: a Mendelian randomization study]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Sleep Medicine
• Genetics

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
• The relationship between sleep and CAD is complex and requires further investigation.
• Genetic association studies offer powerful tools to explore causal links.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between various sleep traits and coronary artery disease (CAD).
• To utilize genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess these links.

Main Methods:

• Employed a generalized summary data-based Mendelian randomization approach.
• Utilized GWAS data for five sleep traits (duration, short/long duration, insomnia, morningness) and CAD.
• Applied heterogeneity in dependent instrument approach to remove pleiotropic instruments and Bonferroni correction for statistical rigor.

Main Results:

• Short sleep duration and frequent insomnia showed significant causal effects on CAD.
• Sleep duration was found to be putatively causal for CAD.
• No convincing causal evidence was found for long sleep duration or morningness influencing CAD.

Conclusions:

• Short sleep duration and frequent insomnia are identified as causal factors for CAD.
• Sleep duration, as a general trait, also plays a causal role in CAD development.
• Incorporating sleep duration and insomnia into CAD disease models may enhance intervention strategies.