Major depression disorder and heart failure: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Genetics

Background:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) and heart failure (HF) are significant global health concerns.
• The etiological relationship between MDD and HF remains incompletely understood.
• Investigating a potential bidirectional causal link is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential bidirectional causal relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and heart failure (HF).
• To determine if MDD is a risk factor for developing HF.
• To ascertain if HF increases the risk of developing MDD.

Main Methods:

• A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study design was employed.
• Forward MR analysis: MDD as exposure, HF as outcome.
• Reverse MR analysis: HF as exposure, MDD as outcome.
• Genetic summary data for MDD and HF were sourced from the IEU Open GWAS database.

Main Results:

• No evidence of horizontal pleiotropy was detected using the MR-Egger regression intercept test.
• Forward MR analysis indicated that MDD significantly increases the risk of HF (OR = 1.169, P = 0.007).
• Reverse MR analysis found no significant causal effect of HF on the risk of MDD (OR = 1.012, P = 0.773).
• Heterogeneity was observed in Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) for both MDD and HF.

Conclusions:

• This study provides robust evidence for a one-way causal relationship from MDD to HF.
• Major depressive disorder is a significant risk factor for the development of heart failure.
• No evidence supports a causal effect of heart failure on the risk of major depressive disorder.