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A phenome-wide investigation of risk factors for severe COVID-19

Ancha Baranova1,2, Hongbao Cao1, Shaolei Teng3

  • 1School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA.

Journal of Medical Virology
|October 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Genetic analysis identified risk and protective factors for severe COVID-19 hospitalization. Body fat, smoking, and blood clots increase risk, while education, exercise, asthma, and not smoking offer protection.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The global spread of COVID-19 necessitates identifying risk and protective factors.
  • Understanding genetic predispositions is crucial for managing the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genetic correlations between COVID-19 hospitalization and various health/lifestyle factors.
  • To determine causal risk and protective factors for severe COVID-19 using Mendelian randomization.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic correlation analysis was performed on UK Biobank data (456,422 participants).
  • Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to infer causality.
  • Investigated relationships between COVID-19 hospitalization and 405 health conditions/lifestyle factors.

Main Results:

  • Identified 134 positive and 65 negative genetic correlations with COVID-19 hospitalization.
  • MR analysis revealed causal risk factors including body fat traits, maternal smoking, basal metabolic rate, lymphocyte count, peripheral enthesopathies, leg blood clots, and arthropathy.
  • Found protective factors such as higher education, physical activity, asthma, and never smoking status.

Conclusions:

  • Established genetic links between various traits and COVID-19 hospitalization risk.
  • Identified key modifiable and non-modifiable factors influencing severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • Findings support targeted prevention strategies and risk stratification for COVID-19 patients.

Keywords:
COVID-19GWASMendelian randomizationUK Biobankobesity

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