Examining the possible causal relationship between lung function, COPD and Alzheimer's disease: a Mendelian randomisation study.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Large retrospective case-control studies have reported an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reduced lung function and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unclear if these diseases are causally linked, or due to shared risk factors. Conventional observational epidemiology suffers from unmeasured confounding and reverse causation. Additional analyses addressing causality are required.

Objectives

To examine a causal relationship between COPD, lung function and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

Using two-sample Mendelian randomisation, we used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in a genome wide association study (GWAS) for lung function as instrumental variables (exposure). Additionally, we used

SUBMITTER: Higbee D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8264898 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature