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Peripheral blood indicators and COVID-19: an observational and bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Zhenglin Chang1,2, Suilin Wang3, Kemin Liu1
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
This study identifies key blood indicators causally linked to COVID-19 risk. Elevated Troponin I and Platelet Distribution Width increase susceptibility, while higher Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, and Neutrophil counts offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Blood clinical indicators are vital for health, but their causal relationship with COVID-19 remains unclear due to confounding factors.
- Previous studies suggest associations between blood markers and COVID-19, lacking definitive causal evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish causal links between blood clinical indicators and COVID-19 susceptibility using Mendelian randomization.
- To identify specific blood biomarkers that causally influence or are influenced by COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Observational analysis of clinical data from 2,293 individuals (COVID-19 patients and healthy controls).
- Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using large-scale genetic and clinical data from over 2.46 million participants.
- Investigated causal effects in both directions: blood indicators on COVID-19 risk and COVID-19 on blood biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Identified 34 significant blood indicators differentiating COVID-19 patients from controls.
- Established causal links for six blood indicators with COVID-19 risk via MR; five consistent with observational findings.
- Elevated Troponin I and Platelet Distribution Width causally increase COVID-19 susceptibility.
- Higher Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, and Neutrophil counts show a protective causal effect against COVID-19.
- Reverse MR revealed COVID-19 causally affects Troponin I, Serum Amyloid Protein A, and Plateletcrit.
Conclusions:
- Causal evidence supports specific blood indicators' roles in COVID-19 susceptibility and outcomes.
- Findings provide a foundation for identifying at-risk individuals and guiding COVID-19 management strategies.
- Highlights the utility of Mendelian randomization in elucidating causal relationships in infectious diseases.
