The causal relationship between COVID-19 and seventeen common digestive diseases: a two-sample, multivariable...

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Epidemiology
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Digestive symptoms like nausea and vomiting are common in COVID-19 patients.
• The direct causal link between COVID-19 and digestive diseases remains unclear.
• Investigating this link is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• To explore the potential mediating role of body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis with summary statistics from genome-wide association studies.
• Employed various MR methods including Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) as the primary approach.
• Conducted multivariable MR to assess mediation by BMI and type 2 diabetes.

Main Results:

• A significant causal association was found between SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe COVID-19, and COVID-19 hospitalization with GERD.
• Body mass index (BMI) was identified as a primary mediating factor.
• BMI mediated approximately 36% of the causal effect between SARS-CoV-2 infection and GERD.

Conclusions:

• Confirmed a causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and GERD.
• Established BMI as the main mediator in the causal pathway from SARS-CoV-2 infection to GERD.
• Findings highlight the importance of managing BMI in COVID-19 patients to mitigate GERD risk.