Investigating Pleiotropy Between Depression and Autoimmune Diseases Using the UK Biobank.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiological studies report increased comorbidity between depression and autoimmune diseases. The role of shared genetic influences in the observed comorbidity is unclear. We investigated the evidence for pleiotropy between these traits in the UK Biobank (UKB).

Methods

We defined autoimmune and depression cases using hospital episode statistics, self-reported conditions and medications, and mental health questionnaires. Pairwise comparisons of depression prevalence between autoimmune cases and controls, and vice versa, were performed. Cross-trait polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses tested for pleiotropy, i.e., whether PRSs for depression could predict autoimmune disease status, and vice versa.

Results

We identified 28,479 cases of autoimmune diseases (po

SUBMITTER: Glanville KP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8262258 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature