Work

Visual impairment and frailty: insight from genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Visual impairment (VI) is associated with frailty in observational studies, but whether this relationship is causal remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the genetic correlation and causal associations between genetically predicted VI and frailty using Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). Material and methods Genome-wide association studies provided summary data for VI subtypes (glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, hypermetropia, myopia) and frailty measures (Frailty Index (FI) and Fried Frailty Score (FFS)). LDSC was used to estimate genetic correlations, and MR was conducted using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method, supplemented by MR-Egger and weighted median. Sensitivity analyses, including Radial MR, Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-PRESSO, assessed pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Results Significant genetic correlations were found between VI, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and frailty. Suggestive correlations were identified between myopia and FI. MR analysis showed increased FI and FFS risks with other cataracts (FI: P = 0.0324; FFS: P = 0.027) and diabetic retinopathy (FI: P < 0.001; FFS: P = 0.0119). Visual disturbances were linked to increased FI risk (P = 0.0101), while age-related macular degeneration elevated FFS risk (P = 0.0251). Reverse analysis revealed frailty also increased susceptibility to VI. No causal relationships were found for other eye diseases, and analyses showed no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Conclusions This study highlights significant genetic links and bidirectional causal relationships between VI and frailty. Future research should include multiethnic populations and larger datasets to further explore these mechanisms.

Source: Archives of Medical Science

DOI: 10.5114/aoms/200789

Authors: Zhen Deng, Ziding Buyang, Tianshu Hou

Institution: Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Genetic Associations and Epidemiology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,078