Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) stands as a global chronic illness, exerting a profound impact on health due to its complications and generating a significant economic burden. Recently, observational studies have pointed toward a potential link between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and T2DM. To elucidate this causal connection, we employed the Mendelian randomization analysis.
Method: Our study involved a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis on COPD and T2DM. Additionally, tests for heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were performed.
Results: For the MR analysis, 26 independent single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) with strong associations to COPD were chosen as instrumental variables. Our findings suggest a pronounced causal relationship between COPD and T2DM. Specifically, COPD emerges as a risk factor for T2DM, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.06 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 1.01 to 1.11 (P = 0.006). Notably, all results were devoid of any heterogeneity or pleiotropy.
Conclusion: The MR analysis underscores a significant causal relationship between COPD and T2DM, highlighting COPD as a prominent risk factor for T2DM.
Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; GWAS data; Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis; causal relationship; type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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