Anxiety disorder and cardiovascular disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Psychiatry
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
• Anxiety disorders are prevalent psychiatric conditions linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between anxiety disorders and major cardiovascular diseases using Mendelian randomization.
• Specifically examining coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Main Methods:

• A two-sample Mendelian randomization study utilizing large-scale genome-wide association study data.
• Genetic variants associated with anxiety disorders were identified from UK Biobank.
• Cardiovascular outcome data for CHD, MI, HF, and AF were sourced from the FinnGen study.

Main Results:

• Significant causal associations were found between anxiety disorders and increased risk of CHD, MI, and HF.
• No significant causal relationship was observed between anxiety disorders and AF.
• Robustness checks confirmed no evidence of reverse causality.

Conclusions:

• Anxiety disorders are causally linked to a higher risk of developing CHD, MI, and HF.
• The study did not find a causal link between anxiety disorders and AF in individuals of European descent.
• Further research is recommended to explore underlying mechanisms and diverse populations.