Investigating causal effects of income on health using two-sample Mendelian randomisation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Income is associated with many health outcomes, but it is unclear how far this reflects a causal relationship. Mendelian randomisation (MR) uses genetic variation between individuals to investigate causal effects and may overcome some of the confounding issues inherent in many observational study designs.

Methods

We used two-sample MR using data from unrelated individuals to estimate the effect of log occupational income on indicators of mental health, physical health, and health-related behaviours. We investigated pleiotropy (direct effects of genotype on the outcome) using robust MR estimators, CAUSE, and multivariable MR including education as a co-exposure. We also investigated demographic factors and dynastic effects using within-family analyses, and misspeci

SUBMITTER: Igelstrom E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11809080 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature