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Published on: July 29, 2021
Mendelian randomization analysis does not reveal a causal association between migraine and Meniere's disease
Kangjia Zhang1, Yong Zhang1, Weijing Wu1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Background:
According to observational research, migraine may increase the risk of Meniere's disease (MD). The two have not, however, been proven to be causally related.
Methods:
Using Mendelian random (MR) analysis, we aimed to evaluate any potential causal relationship between migraine and MD. We extracted single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving European individuals, focusing on migraine and MD. The main technique used to evaluate effect estimates was inverse-variance weighting (IVW). To assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy, sensitivity analyses were carried out using weighted median, MR-Egger, simple mode, weighted mode, and MR-PRESSO.
Results:
There was no discernible causative link between genetic vulnerability to MD and migraine. The migraine dose not increase the prevalence of MD in the random-effects IVW method (OR = 0.551, P = 0.825). The extra weighted median analysis (OR = 0.674, P = 0.909), MR-Egger (OR = 0.068, P = 0.806), Simple mode (OR = 0.170, P = 0.737), and Weighted mode (OR = 0.219, P= 0.760) all showed largely consistent results. The MD dose not increase the prevalence of migraine in the random-effects IVW method (OR = 0.999, P = 0.020). The extra weighted median analysis (OR = 0.999, P = 0.909), MR-Egger (OR = 0.999, P = 0.806), Simple mode (OR = 0.999, P = 0.737), and Weighted mode (OR = 1.000, P = 0.760).
Conclusion And Significance:
This Mendelian randomization study provides casual evidence that migraine is not a risk factor for MD and MD is also not a risk factor for migraine.
Insights
Migraine does not cause Meniere's disease (MD), and MD does not cause migraine, according to Mendelian randomization analysis. This study clarifies the causal relationship between these two conditions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a potential link between migraine and Meniere's disease (MD).
- A causal relationship between migraine and MD has not been established.
- Investigating the genetic correlation between these conditions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causal relationship between migraine and Meniere's disease (MD) using Mendelian randomization.
- To assess if genetic predisposition to migraine influences MD risk.
- To evaluate if genetic predisposition to MD influences migraine risk.
Main Methods:
- Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed.
- Genetic variants (SNPs) associated with migraine and MD were identified from large-scale GWAS in European populations.
- Inverse-variance weighting (IVW) was the primary analysis method, with sensitivity analyses including weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- No significant causal link was found between genetic liability to MD and migraine.
- Migraine genetic predisposition did not increase MD prevalence (IVW OR = 0.551, P = 0.825).
- MD genetic predisposition did not increase migraine prevalence (IVW OR = 0.999, P = 0.020, though this result was not robust across sensitivity analyses).
Conclusions:
- This MR study provides robust evidence that migraine is not a risk factor for MD.
- The study also indicates that MD is not a risk factor for migraine.
- Findings clarify the non-causal relationship between migraine and MD.
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