Causal relationship between affect disorders and endometrial cancer: a Mendelian randomisation study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Oncology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Endometrial cancer is a significant health concern.
• The potential causal link between mental health disorders and endometrial cancer requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety/stress-related disorders (ASRD) and endometrial cancer.
• To utilize Mendelian randomization to assess genetic liability.

Main Methods:

• Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed.
• Genome-wide association study summary statistics from the Genome-wide Association Research Collaboration were used.
• Inverse variance-weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were applied with sensitivity analyses.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant genetic effect of ASRD on endometrial cancer was found.
• MDD showed a statistically significant increased risk for endometrial cancer under the inverse variance weighting method (p=0.047).
• MDD showed a statistically significant decreased risk for endometrial cancer under the MR-Egger method (p=0.015).

Conclusions:

• MDD and ASRD are not found to be genetically responsible for endometrial cancer.
• Emotional disorders might indirectly impact endometrial cancer risk, possibly via body mass index.
• Findings provide novel insights into endometrial cancer etiology and prevention strategies.