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Causal Association Between Psoriasis and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Young Lee1, Soojin Kim2,3, Je Hyun Seo1,2
1Veterans Medical Research Institute, Veterans Health Service Medical Centre, Seoul 05368, Republic of Korea.
Background/Objectives:
Psoriasis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may share immune-related pathophysiologic characteristics. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between psoriasis and AMD. We assessed the possible causal link between psoriasis and AMD in European populations.
Methods:
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with psoriasis exposure were employed as instrumental variables (IVs) based on genome-wide significance (p < 5.0 × 10-8) in the FinnGen genome-wide association study (GWAS). The GWAS data for AMD were obtained from 11 studies performed by the International AMD Genomics Consortium. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) study to estimate causal effects using the inverse-variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger methods, as well as the MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test.
Results:
We observed significant causal associations of psoriasis with AMD. Using the weighted median method, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.09 (95% CI = [1.03-1.16] and p = 0.005), and using the MR-PRESSO test, the OR was 1.04 (95% CI = [1.00-1.09] and p = 0.043).
Conclusions:
A potential causal association between psoriasis and AMD underscores the need to investigate inflammation as a risk factor for AMD.
Insights
This study suggests a causal link between psoriasis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in European populations. These findings highlight inflammation as a potential risk factor for AMD.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Genetics
Background:
- Psoriasis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share potential immune-related mechanisms.
- Limited research has explored the connection between psoriasis and AMD.
- This study investigates a potential causal relationship in European cohorts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the causal link between psoriasis and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- To explore the role of immune-related pathophysiologic characteristics in both conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for psoriasis as instrumental variables (IVs) from the FinnGen genome-wide association study (GWAS).
- Obtained AMD GWAS data from the International AMD Genomics Consortium.
- Employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study with inverse-variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger methods, alongside MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) testing.
Main Results:
- Observed significant causal associations between psoriasis and AMD.
- The weighted median method indicated an odds ratio (OR) of 1.09 (95% CI: 1.03-1.16, p=0.005).
- The MR-PRESSO test yielded an OR of 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00-1.09, p=0.043).
Conclusions:
- A potential causal association between psoriasis and AMD was identified.
- Inflammation should be further investigated as a risk factor for AMD.
- These findings may inform future research on shared etiological pathways.
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