Causal relationship between psychiatric traits and temporomandibular disorders: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian...

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Psychiatry
• Epidemiology
• Oral Health

Background:

• Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common conditions affecting jaw function.
• The relationship between psychiatric disorders and TMD requires further elucidation.
• Mendelian randomization (MR) offers a robust method to investigate causal links.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between TMD and eight psychiatric disorders using a two-sample MR analysis.
• To explore bidirectional causal effects between TMD and traits like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

• A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted.
• Investigated causal effects between TMD and eight psychiatric traits including panic disorder (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).
• Utilized Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger regression with sensitivity analyses.

Main Results:

• Panic disorder (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) were found to significantly increase the risk of TMD.
• Suggestive evidence indicated neuroticism and schizophrenia (SCZ) may also increase TMD risk.
• No significant evidence supported a causal effect of TMD on the studied psychiatric traits.

Conclusions:

• Panic disorder (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are causally linked to an increased risk of TMD.
• Monitoring mental health is crucial for preventing TMD development.
• This MR study provides evidence for the psychiatric origins of TMD.