Exploring the Potential Association between COVID-19 and Thyroid Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Oncology

Background:

• The potential association between COVID-19 and thyroid cancer remains debated.
• Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide valuable genetic insights into disease susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between COVID-19 and thyroid cancer using genetic data.
• To evaluate the association between COVID-19 susceptibility, severity, hospitalization, and thyroid cancer risk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) with MR-Egger, weighted median (WM), and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) methods.
• Employed sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO, and Cochran's Q test to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity.

Main Results:

• A significant causal association was found between the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and thyroid cancer (IVW OR: 1.630, P=0.029).
• No significant causal link was detected between COVID-19 susceptibility and thyroid cancer (IVW OR: 2.826, P=0.093).
• The association between severe COVID-19 and thyroid cancer was not evident (IVW OR: 1.061, P=0.850).
• Sensitivity analyses indicated no significant horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• The findings provide genetic evidence supporting a causal link between COVID-19 hospitalization and thyroid cancer.
• Genetic data do not support a causal relationship between COVID-19 susceptibility or severe disease and thyroid cancer risk.
• These results contribute to understanding the long-term health impacts of COVID-19 and thyroid cancer etiology.