Mendelian randomization study: The association between pain, analgesics, and frailty

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Pain, frailty, and analgesic use are frequently comorbid conditions.
• Previous research indicates a significant association between these factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationships between multisite pain, analgesic use, and frailty.
• To explore bidirectional effects using a Mendelian randomization approach.

Main Methods:

• A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted.
• Summary statistics for various pain types, analgesics (aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, morphine), and the frailty index were analyzed.
• Inverse-variance weighted method and false discovery rate correction were applied.

Main Results:

• Suggestive evidence supports bidirectional causal links between multisite pain (headache, neck/shoulder, abdominal, hip, back, knee pain) and increased frailty.
• Genetically predicted use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol was associated with higher frailty risk.
• Frailty was linked to increased use of aspirin and paracetamol; morphine use showed no significant association.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests causal pathways between frailty and multisite pain.
• Common analgesic use may contribute to frailty, and frailty exacerbates analgesic consumption.
• Analgesic-based pain management is not recommended for frailty improvement.