Research Square · Jul 24, 2023
The Causal Association of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with frailty: A Mendelian Randomization Study
By Wang D, Guo D, Yu YT
Abstract Objective: Our objective was to investigate this hypothesis through the utilization of a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: We used summary genome-wide association statistics for frailty index (FI, N = 175,226) and IBS (cases:53400; controls:433201) in participants of European ancestry. The primary analysis employed the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we conducted additional analyses using the MR egger regression, weighted median method, simple mode and weighted mode. Furthermore, we conducted a reverse MR analysis to assess the potential for reverse causation. Results: Genetically predicted frailty was associated with an increased risk of IBS (MR: β = 1.577674; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1839043 to 2.102412; p = 0.001855951). Genetically predicted IBS showed a suggestive association with the FI (MR: β = 1.1364404; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0959682 to 1.178407; p = 4.743718e-12.), with the horizontal pleiotropy results is 0.04568194. There is no convincing evidence for reverse causation. Conclusion: The present MR study supported frailty as a causal risk factor of IBS. Further research is warranted to investigate whether IBS has a causal role in frailty.