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Causal relationship between COVID-19, vaccination, and 20 digestive diseases: a comprehensive two-sample Mendelian
Xin Zeng1, Xiang Li2, Yansong Fu1
1Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410128, China.
Virology Journal
|June 30, 2025
Summary
This study found no strong causal link between COVID-19 infection or vaccination and digestive diseases using genetic data. The findings clarify uncertainty and suggest genetic factors do not significantly impact the risk of these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Post-pandemic concerns highlight sequelae of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The causal relationship between COVID-19/vaccination and digestive diseases remains ambiguous.
- This study investigates associations and causal links between COVID-19 infection phenotypes, vaccination, and 20 digestive diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between COVID-19 infection phenotypes, vaccination, and 20 common digestive diseases.
- To explore potential causal relationships using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- To clarify the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19's impact on digestive health.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in individuals of European descent.
- Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for six COVID-19 infection phenotypes and two vaccination datasets.
- Analyzed 20 common digestive diseases as outcomes, employing meta-analysis to assess causal effects.
Main Results:
- MR analysis suggested potential causal links between COVID-19 and duodenal ulcer, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, and Crohn's disease.
- COVID-19 vaccination (Finland) was associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- After applying Benjamini-Hochberg correction, no significant causal differences were observed in meta-analysis results.
Conclusions:
- This MR study found no strong causal relationship between COVID-19 infection, vaccination, and 20 common digestive diseases based on genetic data.
- Results help clarify longstanding uncertainty regarding COVID-19's potential causal links to digestive diseases.
- Findings suggest genetic variants do not significantly influence the risk of these diseases, informing clinical and public health strategies.
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