Obstructive sleep apnea and 19 gastrointestinal diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Gastroenterology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Gastrointestinal diseases (GDs) are frequently observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• The underlying genetic connections between OSA and GDs remain largely uncharacterized.
• This study investigates the potential causal relationships between OSA and various GDs using genetic data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the causal effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on 19 types of gastrointestinal diseases (GDs).
• To explore potential bidirectional causal relationships between OSA and specific GDs.
• To identify independent risk factors for GDs associated with OSA.

Main Methods:

• Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed to assess causality between OSA and 19 GDs.
• The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was utilized for the primary causal effect estimation.
• Multivariate MR (MVMR) analyses were conducted to adjust for confounding factors and assess independent effects.

Main Results:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) showed a causal association with inflammation-related GDs, including GERD, chronic gastritis, ulcerative colitis, and gallstones (calculi of the gallbladder and bile duct).
• Multivariate MR confirmed OSA as an independent risk factor for GERD, gastroduodenal ulcer, and bile duct stones.
• A bidirectional causal effect was observed between GERD and OSA; however, no genetic link was found between OSA and the studied cancers.

Conclusions:

• This MR study provides strong evidence for a causal relationship between genetically predicted OSA and an increased risk of inflammation-related GDs.
• OSA is identified as an independent risk factor for specific GDs, including GERD and gallstones.
• No causal association was found between OSA and the investigated gastrointestinal cancers, warranting further research.