Minor Genetic Overlap Among Rheumatoid Arthritis, Myocardial Infarction, and Myocardial Infarction Risk Determinants

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with known cardiovascular complications.
• Myocardial infarction (MI) risk is elevated in RA patients, but the underlying genetic basis is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate shared genetic susceptibility between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and myocardial infarction (MI).
• To quantify the genetic overlap between RA and MI, including major MI risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from Swedish RA patients and a published MI meta-analysis.
• Estimated genome-wide and local genetic correlations using linkage disequilibrium score regression and LAVA.
• Assessed genetic correlations between RA and cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• Genome-wide genetic correlation between RA and MI was estimated at 0.13 (95% CI -0.03 to 0.29), indicating minor overlap.
• Six regions showed significant local genetic correlation, but without known risk SNPs for either condition.
• No significant genetic correlations were found between RA risk factors and MI risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Genetic overlap between RA and MI is minor.
• Shared genetic factors are unlikely to be a major contributor to the increased MI risk in RA patients.