Software Application Profile: SUMnlmr, an R package that facilitates flexible and reproducible non-linear Mendelian randomisation analyses

Abstract

AbstractMotivationMendelian randomisation methods that estimate non-linear exposure—outcome relationships typically require individual-level data. This package implements non-linear Mendelian randomisation methods using stratified summarised data, facilitating analyses where individual-level data cannot easily be shared, and additionally increasing reproducibility as summarised data can be reported. Dependence on summarised data means the methods are independent of the form of the individual- level data, increasing flexibility to different outcome types (such as continuous, binary, or time-to- event outcomes).ImplementationSUMnlmr is available as an R package (version 3.1.0 or higher).General featuresThe package implements the previously proposed fractional polynomial and piecewise linear methods on stratified summarised data that can either be estimated from individual-level data using the package or supplied by a collaborator. It constructs plots to visualise the estimated exposure— outcome relationship, and provides statistics to assess preference for a non-linear model over a linear model.AvailabilityThe package is freely available from GitHub [https://github.com/amymariemason/SUMnlmr].