Work

Intervertebral disc degeneration and stroke: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Although previous studies suggest a possible association between intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and stroke, the causal relationship between them remains unclear. Genetic instrumental variables for IVDD were obtained from the FinnGen database; data for stroke, ischemic stroke (IS), and Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were sourced from the MEGASTROKE consortium. All genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets were accessed through the IEU online database. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis approach, incorporating a rigorous framework, including bidirectional Mendelian randomization and various sensitivity analyses to avoid potential confounding biases. The MR analysis revealed a positive causal relationship between IVDD and stroke(OR = 1.168, 95 %CI: [1.033, 1.320], p = 0.01). Additionally, IVDD was found to increase the risk of IS (IVW: OR = 1.171, 95 %CI: [1.025, 1.337], p = 0.02). Reverse analysis showed no causal relationship between stroke and IVDD risk. Heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and statistical power analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. There is a causal relationship between IVDD and stroke. These findings suggest that IVDD may be a risk factor for stroke. Therefore, interventions and treatments targeting IVDD could potentially reduce the incidence and mortality rates of stroke.

Source: World Neurosurgery X

DOI: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2025.100535

Authors: Yifan Wang, Rong Zhou, Shaoting Nan, Yanlong Duan, Lei Cao, Shenglong Guo

Institutions: Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University

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: $2,387