Graves' disease and systemic lupus erythematosus: a Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Immunology
• Genetic Epidemiology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a correlation between Graves' disease (GD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
• The causal relationship between GD and SLE remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between Graves' disease and systemic lupus erythematosus using Mendelian randomization.
• To explore the bidirectional causal effects between GD and SLE.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) summary statistics for GD and SLE in Asian populations.
• Employed the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and performed sensitivity analyses (MR-Egger, median weighting, leave-one-out, MR-PRESSO) to assess heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• Genetically predicted Graves' disease was associated with an increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (OR=1.27, p=0.018) after sensitivity analyses.
• Genetically predicted systemic lupus erythematosus was associated with an increased risk of Graves' disease (OR=1.13, p=0.003) after sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a potential bidirectional causal relationship between Graves' disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Results have implications for clinical screening, treatment of co-morbidities, and future research into underlying mechanisms.