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Extensive Mendelian randomization study identifies potential causal risk factors for severe COVID-19
Yitang Sun1, Jingqi Zhou1,2, Kaixiong Ye1,3
1Department of Genetics, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA USA.
Communications Medicine
|May 23, 2022
Summary
This study used Mendelian randomization to identify causal risk factors for severe COVID-19. Higher body mass index (BMI) and fat mass increase risk, while certain white blood cells may offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Identifying causal risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is critical for prevention and treatment.
- Observational studies of pre-existing conditions and biomarkers are limited by confounding and reverse causation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the causal roles of various traits in severe COVID-19 using a large-scale Mendelian randomization analysis.
Main Methods:
- Performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Utilized genetic variants associated with various traits to infer causality.
Main Results:
- Identified increased risk of severe COVID-19 associated with body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, and waist circumference.
- Found that fat mass, but not fat-free mass, may drive the BMI-related effect.
- Observed negative associations between severe COVID-19 and neutrophil, granulocyte, and myeloid white blood cell counts.
- Highlighted specific proteins (zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein and prostate-associated microseminoprotein) linked to severe COVID-19 risk or protection.
Conclusions:
- Fat mass and specific white blood cell counts are implicated in severe COVID-19 development.
- Identified potential drug targets and protective factors for high-risk individuals.
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