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Causal Relationship Between Different Sleep Traits and Dental Caries: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Dan Zhou1, Zehan Zhang2, Jianxing Zhang1
1Department of Stomatology, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|January 27, 2025
Summary
This study investigated the link between sleep habits and dental caries (DC). Using advanced genetic methods, no causal relationship was found between various sleep traits and the development of DC.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Public Health
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Dental caries (DC) is a prevalent oral health issue.
- Emerging research suggests a potential link between poor sleep and DC development.
- This study explores the correlation and causality between sleep and dental caries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic correlation between sleep traits and dental caries.
- To determine the causal relationship between sleep traits and dental caries using Mendelian randomization.
Main Methods:
- Linkage Disequilibrium Score (LDSC) regression was employed to assess genetic correlations.
- Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) methods, primarily inverse variance weighted, were used for causal inference.
- Results were evaluated using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
Main Results:
- LDSC analysis revealed significant genetic correlations between chronotype, dozing, insomnia, and sleep duration with DC.
- However, Mendelian randomization analysis indicated no discernible causal relationships between these sleep traits and DC.
- These findings were further validated using additional independent datasets.
Conclusions:
- This research found no evidence of a causal relationship between sleep traits and dental caries.
- The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between genetic correlation and causation in complex diseases.
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