Allergic diseases and Meniere's disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Epidemiology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between allergic diseases and Meniere's disease.
• The causal relationship remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema/dermatitis) and Meniere's disease.
• Utilized bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Main Methods:

• Employed summary-level statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies.
• Primary analysis used the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, supported by MR-Egger regression and weighted median methods.
• Sensitivity analyses included Cochran's Q, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out, and MR Steiger tests to ensure robustness.

Main Results:

• Significant causal effects of asthma (OR=3.908), allergic rhinitis (OR=24.714), and eczema/dermatitis (OR=3725.954) on Meniere's disease were identified via IVW.
• Reverse MR analysis indicated no causal effect of Meniere's disease on the studied allergic diseases.
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed no significant horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Mendelian randomization analysis provides evidence for a positive causal link between asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema/dermatitis, and Meniere's disease.
• Clinicians should consider patients' allergy history and allergy avoidance strategies in managing Meniere's disease.