Osteoarthritis and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

Association of salt added to food with risk of cardiovascular diseases: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study

Salt added to food is believed to potentially influence the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), however, more evidence needs further verification. Here, we conducted a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to systematically investigate the associations of salt added to food with 11 types of cardiovascular diseases in the general population. The primary MR analysis adopts the inverse-variance weighting (IVW) method, complemented by ancillary analyses utilizing IVW (fixed effects), weighted medium, maximum likelihood, and penalized weighted median methodologies. The main pleiotropy of genetic variation and sensitivity analysis were correspondingly applied to test the reliability of the results, and the MR-Egger test are the core evaluation methods. Notably, genetically predicted salt added to food demonstrates causal associations with vein thromboembolism (IVW odds ratio [OR]: 1.0084, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0024-1.0143, P = .0056), atrial fibrillation and flutter (IVW OR: 1.3176, 95% CI: 1.0154-1.7098, P = .0380), ischemic stroke (IVW OR: 1.1852, 95% CI: 1.0092-1.3918, P = .0383) and peripheral artery disease (IVW OR: 1.0040, 95% CI: 1.0015-1.0065, P = .0016). These findings provide valuable insights that may guide the development of targeted prevention strategies and interventions focused on dietary habits in the context of cardiovascular diseases.

Investigating the metabolomic pathways in female reproductive endocrine disorders: a Mendelian randomization study

Introduction

Reproductive endocrine disorders (RED), including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis (EMs), and female infertility (FI), significantly affect women's health globally, with varying prevalence across different regions. These conditions can be addressed through medication, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications. However, the limited understanding of RED's etiology and the substantial economic burden of its treatment highlight the importance of investigating its pathogenesis. Metabolites play a critical role in metabolic processes and are potentially linked to the development of RED. Despite existing studies suggesting correlations between metabolites and RED, conclusive evidence remains scarce, primarily due to the observational nature of these studies, which are prone to confounding factors.

Methods

This study utilized Mendelian Randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship between metabolites and RED, leveraging genetic variants associated with metabolite levels as instrumental variables to minimize confounding and reverse causality. Data were obtained from the Metabolomics GWAS Server and the IEU OpenGWAS project. Instrumental variables were selected based on their association with the human gut microbiota composition, and the GWAS summary statistics for metabolites, PCOS, EMs, and FI were analyzed. The MR-Egger regression and random-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW) methods were employed to validate the causal relationship. Cochran's Q test was employed to evaluate heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis was performed using leave-one-out analysis, and for pleiotropy analysis, the intercept term of MR-Egger's method was investigated.

Results

The MR analysis revealed significant associations between various metabolites and RED conditions. For instance, a positive association was found between 1-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine and PCOS, while a negative association was noted between phenylacetate and FI. The study identified several metabolites associated with an increased risk and others with protective effects against PCOS, EMs, and FI. These findings highlight the complex interplay between metabolites and RED, suggesting potential pathways through which these conditions could be influenced or treated.

Conclusion

This MR study provides valuable insights into the causal relationship between metabolites and female reproductive endocrine disorders, suggesting that metabolic alterations play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PCOS, EMs, and FI, and offering a foundation for future research and therapeutic development.

Osteoarthritis and Neurological Disorder Diagnoses in Adults: A Meta-Analysis Examining Associations With Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer's Disease

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent joint disorder that is emerging as a global threat to health. OA is associated with low-grade chronic systemic inflammation that can affect overall health, leading to a sedentary lifestyle and potentially increased risk of neurological disorders (ND) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). A meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for 2020 Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched to identify records. The inclusion criteria for this analysis were original research articles reporting on OA and neurological disorder diagnoses (AD, PD, or MS) with non-OA comparator groups. Logarithmic odds ratios (LORs) were calculated and input into a random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum-likelihood estimator. Subgroup analyses examined the associations between OA, AD, PD, and MS. A subsequent meta-regression analysis was performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity, focusing on comorbidities and demographic factors. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Egger's test, and trim-and-fill analysis. Nine studies were included in this meta-analysis (six case-control designs, two cross-sectional designs, and one population-based cohort design) of 1,837,716 cases. The pooled odds ratio (OR) indicated a significant association between OA and ND diagnosis (OR = 1.246; confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.53). Subsequent subgroup analyses were not statistically significant but indicated an association with PD (OR = 1.31, CI: 0.80-2.12), MS (OR = 1.12, CI: 0.80-2.81), and AD (OR = 1.50, CI: 0.80-2.81). This meta-analysis revealed that individuals with OA have approximately 25% higher odds of an accompanying ND diagnosis compared to those without OA. Importantly, these findings represent statistical associations only and do not imply causation or directionality but provide insight into factors, including shared risk factors, overlapping symptoms, or other underlying mechanisms that may influence the observed relationships.

Phenome-wide causal associations between osteoarthritis and other complex traits through the latent causal variable analysis

BACKGROUND

Individuals with osteoarthritis present with comorbidities, and the potential causal associations remain incompletely elucidated. The present study undertook a large-scale investigation about the causality between osteoarthritis and variable traits, using the summary-level data of genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

METHODS

The present study included the summary-level GWS data of knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, hip or knee osteoarthritis, hand osteoarthritis, and other 1355 traits. Genetic correlation analysis was conducted between osteoarthritis and other traits through cross-trait bivariate linkage disequilibrium score regression. Subsequently, latent causal variable analysis was performed to explore the causal association when there was a significant genetic correlation. Genetic correlation and latent causal variable analysis were conducted on the Complex Traits Genomics Virtual Lab platform ( https://vl.genoma.io/ ).

RESULTS

We found 133 unique phenotypes showing causal relationships with osteoarthritis. Our results confirmed several well-established risk factors of osteoarthritis, such as obesity, weight, BMI, and meniscus derangement. Additionally, our findings suggested putative causal links between osteoarthritis and multiple factors. Socioeconomic determinants such as occupational exposure to dust and diesel exhaust, extended work hours exceeding 40 per week, and unemployment status were implicated. Furthermore, our analysis revealed causal associations with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including heart failure, deep venous thrombosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and elevated cholesterol levels. Soft tissue and musculoskeletal disorders, such as hallux valgus, internal derangement of the knee, and spondylitis, were also identified to be causally related to osteoarthritis. The study also identified the putative causal associations of osteoarthritis with digestive and respiratory diseases, such as Barrett's esophagus, esophagitis, and asthma, as well as psychiatric conditions including panic attacks and manic or hyperactive episodes. Additionally, we observed osteoarthritis causally related to pharmacological treatments, such as the use of antihypertensive medications, anti-asthmatic drugs, and antidepressants.

CONCLUSION

Our study uncovered a wide range of traits causally associated with osteoarthritis. Further studies are needed to validate and illustrate the detailed mechanism of those causal associations.

The causal relationship between osteoarthritis and bladder cancer: A Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

The causal association between osteoarthritis (OA) and bladder cancer remains unclear. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study was carried out to assess the potential causal effects of any OA, knee OA and hip OA, and bladder cancer.

METHOD

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for OA and bladder cancer were obtained in GWAS CATALOG, UK Biobank, and FinnGen Consortium. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach was primarily conducted to evaluate the causal relationships between OA and bladder cancer, and MR-Egger intercept and Cochran's Q test were mainly used to estimate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. MR-PRESSO was used to test the presence of horizontal outliers. Leave-one-out analysis was utilized to ensure the reliability of the results.

RESULTS

A higher genetic predisposition to any OA has a causal association with bladder cancer risk, while neither knee OA nor hip OA is causally linked to bladder cancer. MR-Egger intercept analysis exhibited that any OA and knee OA had no pleiotropic effect on the risk of bladder cancer, and Cochran's Q test showed that any OA, knee OA and hip OA had no heterogeneity on bladder cancer risk. Neither MR PRESSO analysis nor leave-one-out analysis revealed any outlier SNPs.

CONCLUSIONS

This MR study exhibited a positive cause-and-effect relationship between any type of OA and bladder cancer risk, but not between site-specific OA, knee OA and hip OA, and bladder cancer. Attention should be paid to the screening and prevention of bladder cancer in OA patients at any site.

[Influence of chronic pain in osteoarthritis on the risk of cardiovascular diseases and modern methods of drug prevention]

The purpose of the review of scientific medical literature was to evaluate the data of the epidemiology of osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with the analysis of risk factors, pathophysiological and pathobiochemical mechanisms of the relationship between OA and the risk of developing CVD in the presence of chronic pain, modern strategies for screening and management of this cohort of patients, the mechanism of action and pharmacological effects of chondroitin sulfate (CS). Conclusions were drawn about the need for additional clinical and observational studies of the efficacy and safety of the parenteral form of CS (Chondroguard) in patients with chronic pain in OA and CVD, improvement of clinical recommendations for the treatment of chronic pain in patients with OA and cardiovascular risk, with special attention to interventions that eliminate mobility restrictions in patients and the inclusion of basic and adjuvant therapy with DMOADs to achieve the goals of multipurpose monotherapy in patients with contraindications to standard therapy drugs.