Exploring Causality Between Bone Mineral Density and Cervical Spondylosis: Bidirectional and Multivariable Mendelian...

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Orthopedics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Emerging evidence suggests a link between bone mineral density (BMD) and cervical spondylosis (CS).
• The precise causal relationship between BMD and CS remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between BMD and CS using a comprehensive Mendelian randomization (MR) framework.
• To explore bidirectional causal effects between BMD and CS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and multivariable MR (MVMR) analyses.
• Employed genome-wide association study summary statistics for BMD and CS.
• Conducted sensitivity analyses to ensure robustness and assess pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• Significant positive causal associations were found between BMD at the total body, femoral neck, and heel bone and CS risk.
• The association was particularly strong in the 45-60 age group for total body BMD.
• Reverse causality (CS affecting BMD) was not supported by the analyses.

Conclusions:

• Provides genetic evidence supporting a causal link where higher BMD increases CS susceptibility.
• Findings suggest individuals with higher BMD may be at increased risk for developing cervical spondylosis.