Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis

Objectives: While existing research has indicated a potential link between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), these findings primarily stem from observational studies, which are inherently limited by confounding variables and methodological biases, th...

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Main Authors: Qianyou Zheng, Ce Wu, Yaru Li, Jing Wu, Wenrui Tang, Qiuyang Zhu, Shaokang Ren, Xiaowen Zhang, Shenling Li, Tao Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-04-01
Series:SAGE Open Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251332151
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author Qianyou Zheng
Ce Wu
Yaru Li
Jing Wu
Wenrui Tang
Qiuyang Zhu
Shaokang Ren
Xiaowen Zhang
Shenling Li
Tao Fu
author_facet Qianyou Zheng
Ce Wu
Yaru Li
Jing Wu
Wenrui Tang
Qiuyang Zhu
Shaokang Ren
Xiaowen Zhang
Shenling Li
Tao Fu
author_sort Qianyou Zheng
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: While existing research has indicated a potential link between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), these findings primarily stem from observational studies, which are inherently limited by confounding variables and methodological biases, thereby reducing their reliability. This research sought to elucidate the causative link between GERD and CSOM. Methods: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using genetic data to assess the causal relationship between GERD and CSOM. Pooled genetic data for GERD and CSOM were obtained from published genomewide association studies. Independent single nucleotide polymorphisms, rigorously screened as instrumental variables, were used in the analysis. The primary analytical method was inverse variance weighting (IVW), with additional sensitivity analyses performed to assess the robustness and reliability of the results. Results: Per MR analysis, genetically predicted GERD positively associated with an increased CSOM risk (IVW: p  = 0.001, odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–3.27). Per reverse MR analysis, genetically predicted CSOM did not associate with an increased GERD risk. Sensitivity analyses did not identify horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Conclusions: For the first time, GERD was identified as a risk factor for CSOM through a bidirectional MR study. This finding provides high-level causal evidence for the prevention and management of CSOM and forms a basis for future clinical and mechanistic studies. Clinicians should consider the potential impact of GERD when treating patients with CSOM, as GERD may be an important risk factor.
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spelling doaj-art-9dde345c7f8041a994577b40ddb4bce12025-08-20T02:19:47ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Medicine2050-31212025-04-011310.1177/20503121251332151Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysisQianyou Zheng0Ce Wu1Yaru Li2Jing Wu3Wenrui Tang4Qiuyang Zhu5Shaokang Ren6Xiaowen Zhang7Shenling Li8Tao Fu9Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, ChinaObjectives: While existing research has indicated a potential link between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), these findings primarily stem from observational studies, which are inherently limited by confounding variables and methodological biases, thereby reducing their reliability. This research sought to elucidate the causative link between GERD and CSOM. Methods: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using genetic data to assess the causal relationship between GERD and CSOM. Pooled genetic data for GERD and CSOM were obtained from published genomewide association studies. Independent single nucleotide polymorphisms, rigorously screened as instrumental variables, were used in the analysis. The primary analytical method was inverse variance weighting (IVW), with additional sensitivity analyses performed to assess the robustness and reliability of the results. Results: Per MR analysis, genetically predicted GERD positively associated with an increased CSOM risk (IVW: p  = 0.001, odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–3.27). Per reverse MR analysis, genetically predicted CSOM did not associate with an increased GERD risk. Sensitivity analyses did not identify horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Conclusions: For the first time, GERD was identified as a risk factor for CSOM through a bidirectional MR study. This finding provides high-level causal evidence for the prevention and management of CSOM and forms a basis for future clinical and mechanistic studies. Clinicians should consider the potential impact of GERD when treating patients with CSOM, as GERD may be an important risk factor.https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251332151
spellingShingle Qianyou Zheng
Ce Wu
Yaru Li
Jing Wu
Wenrui Tang
Qiuyang Zhu
Shaokang Ren
Xiaowen Zhang
Shenling Li
Tao Fu
Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis
SAGE Open Medicine
title Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis
title_full Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis
title_fullStr Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis
title_full_unstemmed Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis
title_short Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media: a mendelian randomization analysis
title_sort causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and the risk of chronic suppurative otitis media a mendelian randomization analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121251332151
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