Psoriasis and depression: mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Abstract Background The association between psoriasis (PSO) and depression has recently gained significant attention among researchers. However, the precise nature of the relationship between these two conditions remains to be determined. The objective of this study is to investigate a causality between PSO and depression using a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods Summary statistics for PSO and depression were derived from multiple comprehensive genome-wide association studies. A MR design was employed to examine the causal relationship between PSO and depression. The primary analyses were conducted using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Additionally, MR Steiger and colocalization analyses were employed to evaluate the robustness of these genetic variants in relation to PSO and depression. Results Genetic susceptibility to PSO was found to be associated with an elevated risk of depression (OR: 1.348; 95% CI: 1.141–1.592, P = 0.004). This relationship was supported by other analysis methods as well. Furthermore, MR Steiger's analysis confirmed a causal relationship between PSO and depression ("TRUE"). Colocalization analyses indicated the presence of a shared causal variant (rs12189871, PP.H4 = 1) within the genomic test regions for both PSO and depression. Conclusions Our research provides evidence for a potential causal relationship between PSO and depression.