Bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis reveals the causal relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and acute sinusitis.

Abstract

This study explored the causal relationship between RA and acute sinusitis (AS) using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (two-sample Mendelian randomization) analysis. We used publicly available genome-wide association study datasets to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with both RA and AS. We then applied statistical methods, including inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted medians, to assess the causal effects between the 2 diseases. This study provides evidence through two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, suggesting that RA may be an independent risk factor for AS. This highlights the role of immune modulation in the genetic overlap between The and AS, offering new perspectives for future research on immune disease mechanisms, and potential clinical prevention and treatment strategies.