Causal relationship between major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and constipation: a two-sample Mendelian...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Gastroenterology
• Genetics

Background:

• Correlations exist between major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder (AXD), and constipation.
• The interdependence and pathogenesis of these conditions remain unclear.
• This study investigates the causal associations between MDD, AXD, and constipation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the causal associations between major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder (AXD), and constipation.
• To investigate the genetic links between these conditions using Mendelian randomization.

Main Methods:

• Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed.
• Genetic instrumental variables were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWASs).
• Inverse variance weighting (IVW), Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out analyses were used to assess causality, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• A significant causal relationship was found between MDD and an increased risk of constipation (p=0.0001).
• No causal association was detected between AXD and constipation (p=8.52×10⁻¹).
• Reverse MR analysis showed no causal links from constipation to MDD or AXD.

Conclusions:

• This Mendelian randomization study provides genetic evidence supporting a causal relationship between major depressive disorder and constipation.
• The findings suggest MDD may contribute to the development of constipation.