Association between migraine and venous thromboembolism: a Mendelian randomization and genetic correlation study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between migraine and increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk.
• Understanding the causal relationship and shared genetic basis is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal effect of migraine on VTE development using Mendelian randomization (MR).
• To explore the genetic correlation between migraine and VTE.

Main Methods:

• A two-sample MR study utilized summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies for migraine and VTE.
• Linkage disequilibrium score regression was employed to estimate genetic correlation.

Main Results:

• Significant positive genetic correlation found between migraine and VTE, indicating shared genetic underpinnings.
• While initial MR suggested a migraine-to-VTE association, it lacked robustness across methods.
• Reverse MR indicated VTE is associated with an increased risk of migraine with aura, with no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Suggestive evidence supports an association between migraine and increased VTE risk.
• Robust evidence indicates VTE is associated with an increased risk of migraine.
• Shared genetic basis between migraine and VTE identified; further research into sex-specific effects is needed.