Investigating the Gene Relation Between Cervical Spondylosis and Depression: Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization...

Area of Science:

• Genetics and epidemiology
• Neuroscience
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between depression and cervical spondylosis (CS).
• The precise causal relationship between depression and CS remains unclear.
• Mendelian randomization (MR) has not been extensively applied to study this association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between depression and CS using a two-sample MR approach.
• To determine if depression is a risk factor for CS.
• To assess if CS influences the risk of developing depression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for depression and CS in European ancestry.
• Employed the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analytical approach.
• Conducted comprehensive sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO to ensure robustness.

Main Results:

• Found a significant association where depression increases the likelihood of developing CS (OR: 1.322, P=0.01243).
• Demonstrated a reciprocal causal effect, with genetic predisposition to depression significantly increasing CS susceptibility (OR: 1.426, P=0.01775).

Conclusions:

• Provided genetic evidence supporting a bidirectional causal association between depression and CS.
• Individuals with depression face a higher risk of developing CS.
• Targeting depression may be a strategy for preventing or mitigating CS, and vice versa.