Robust inference in summary data Mendelian randomization via the zero modal pleiotropy assumption.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mendelian randomization (MR) is being increasingly used to strengthen causal inference in observational studies. Availability of summary data of genetic associations for a variety of phenotypes from large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) allows straightforward application of MR using summary data methods, typically in a two-sample design. In addition to the conventional inverse variance weighting (IVW) method, recently developed summary data MR methods, such as the MR-Egger and weighted median approaches, allow a relaxation of the instrumental variable assumptions.

Methods

Here, a new method - the mode-based estimate (MBE) - is proposed to obtain a single causal effect estimate from multiple genetic instruments. The MBE is consistent when the largest number

SUBMITTER: Hartwig FP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5837715 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature