The Relationship between Negative Emotions and Atrial Fibrillation: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Genetics

Background:

• Observational studies on negative emotions and atrial fibrillation (AF) show conflicting results.
• A causal link between negative emotions and AF requires further investigation.
• Mendelian randomization (MR) can provide genetic evidence for causality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between negative emotions and AF using a two-sample MR design.
• To assess causality in both directions: negative emotions influencing AF and AF influencing negative emotions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized genetic variations as instrumental variables for negative emotions and AF.
• Employed the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis.
• Conducted sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger, weighted median, MR-PRESSO, and heterogeneity tests.

Main Results:

• Genetic susceptibility to negative emotions was significantly associated with an increased risk of AF (OR, 1.173; P = 8.475 × 10^-10).
• No significant causal effect of genetic susceptibility to AF on negative emotions was observed.
• Analyses confirmed no significant horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Genetic evidence supports a causal role of negative emotions in the development of AF.
• Negative emotions may be a modifiable risk factor for AF.
• Observed emotional changes in AF patients are likely due to modifiable factors rather than genetic predisposition.