Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis of the relationship between statins and the risk of osteoarthritis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Observational studies have suggested that statins may have a protective effect against osteoarthritis,including knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis.However,the association between statins and the risk of osteoarthritis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association between statins and the risk of osteoarthritis through Mendelian randomization analysis using summary data from large-scale population-based genome-wide association studies(GWAS). METHODS:Firstly,single nucleotide polymorphism data related to statins were obtained from the latest 9th edition of the FinnGen database,while data of osteoarthritis,knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS,UK Biobank,and ArcOGEN(Genetics of Osteoarthritis)databases,respectively.The inverse variance weighted method was used as the primary analysis approach to evaluate the causal effects.The weighted median method,simple median method,weighted mode-based method,and MR-Egger regression were used as supplementary analyses.The causal relationship between statins and the risk of osteoarthritis,knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis was assessed using odds ratios(OR)with 95%confidence intervals(CI).Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the reliability of the results,including the Cochran's Q test for heterogeneity and the MR-Egger-intercept test for horizontal pleiotropy,as well as leave-one-out analysis to identify potentially influential single nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The inverse variance weighted analysis demonstrated a negative causal relationship between genetically predicted statins and the risk of osteoarthritis(OR=0.998,95%CI:0.996-0.999,P=0.01),knee osteoarthritis(OR=0.964,95%CI:0.940-0.989,P=0.005),and hip osteoarthritis(OR=0.928,95%CI:0.901-0.955,P=4.28×10-7).MR-Egger intercept analysis did not detect potential horizontal pleiotropy(osteoarthritis:P=0.658;knee osteoarthritis:P=0.600;hip osteoarthritis:P=0.141).The results of this study provide evidence that statins reduce the risks of osteoarthritis,knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis as described in observational studies.Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms of statin treatment for osteoarthritis.

Causal relationship between blood metabolites and sarcopenia-related traits:a Mendelian randomization study / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Clinical evidences have suggested a correlation between metabolic factors and sarcopenia.Blood metabolites have been found as biological factors underlying the mechanisms of musculoskeletal disorders.However,the causal relationship between blood metabolites and sarcopenia is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal relationship between blood metabolites and sarcopenia-related traits through a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis and to analyze their metabolic pathways. METHODS:A dataset of 486 blood metabolites and sarcopenia-related traits was obtained from public databases.The inverse variance weighting,MR-Egger and weighted median methods were used to assess the causal relationship of blood metabolites with muscle mass and strength across genders.Sensitivity analyses,including heterogeneity and gene pleiotropy,were performed to explore the robustness of the results.Metabolic pathway analysis of potential causal relationships was performed using the Metaboanayst 5.0 tool. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 124 metabolites and sarcopenia-related traits were observed to have potential causal relationships(P<0.05).Mannose and 1-arachidonoylglycerophosphocholine were significantly causally associated with an increased muscle mass in males(P<1.03×10-4).Pentadecanoate and glycine were significantly causally associated with decreased muscle mass and muscle strength in females,respectively(P<1.03×10-4).Metabolic pathway analysis identified eight metabolic pathways associated with altered levels of muscle mass and muscle strength in sarcopenia,including the"glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism"and"Glycine,serine and threonine metabolism."The identified metabolites are considered as useful circulating metabolic biomarkers for screening and prevention of sarcopenia in clinical practice,serving as candidate molecules for future mechanistic exploration and drug target selection.

Association between obesity and osteoporosis:a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Numerous clinical studies have suggested a close relationship between obesity and osteoporosis,but whether there is a genetic causal effect between obesity and osteoporosis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the association between obesity and osteoporosis using summary data from a large-scale genome-wide association study(GWAS)through Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS:Obesity data were derived from summary statistics of the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits(GIANT)and the UK Biobank(UKBB).Osteoporosis data were obtained from the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis(GeFOS)consortium,including two bone density phenotypes:total body bone mineral density(BMD)and heel BMD.The inverse variance-weighted method was the primary analysis,with the Mendelian randomization method based on Egger regression(MR-Egger)and weighted median method as supplementary approaches to calculate the causal association between genetic variations related to obesity and osteoporosis.Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the reliability of the results.Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test.Horizontal pleiotropy was assessed through the MR-Egger intercept test.Leave-one-out analysis was performed to evaluate the potential influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms on the combined inverse variance-weighted estimates. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Impact of obesity on osteoporosis:In addition to body mass index and forearm BMD,body mass index,waist-to-hip ratio,body mass index-adjusted waist-to-hip ratio,and whole-body body mass index,heel BMD,forearm BMD,lumbar spine BMD,and femoral neck BMD were causally related to each other.Further Meta-analysis revealed that obesity increased the risk of BMD(odds ratio=1.07,95%confidence interval:1.03-1.12,P<0.01).(2)Impact of osteoporosis on obesity:Apart from arm BMD and lumbar spine BMD as exposure factors showing causal relationships with obesity,other datasets indicated no causal effect between total body BMD,heel BMD,femoral neck BMD,and obesity.Additional meta-analysis demonstrated that BMD did not increase the risk of obesity(odds rate=0.99,95%confidence interval:0.98-1.01,P<0.01).There is a causal relationship between obesity and osteoporosis,suggesting that obesity may be a risk factor for osteoporosis.However,no causal association is found between osteoporosis and obesity.

Relationship between statin drugs and bone density:a drug target-mediated Mendelian randomization study / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Observational studies have suggested that statin drugs may have a protective effect on bone density,making them a potential treatment option for osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the causal relationship between drug target-mediated lipid phenotypes and bone mineral density(BMD)using Mendelian randomization methods. METHODS:We obtained single nucleotide polymorphismsrelated to statin drugs and BMD data from the IEU Open GWAS database.The primary analysis method was the inverse variance weighted method,and we also used weighted median,simple median,weighted mode,and MR-Egger regression.We usedβ values and 95%confidence intervals(CI)to assess the causal relationship between statin drugs and BMD.Additionally,we conducted sensitivity analyses to validate the results,assessed heterogeneity using Cochran's Q test,examined for horizontal pleiotropy using the MR-Egger intercept test,and performed leave-one-out analyses to determine if individual or multiplesingle nucleotide polymorphism influenced the results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was a significant association between the statin target of action,3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase-mediated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and heel bone BMD(β=-0.086,95%CI:-0.117 to-0.055,P=5.42×10-8)and whole-body BMD(β=-0.193,95%CI:-0.288 to-0.098,P=7.35×10-5).The findings of this study support the protective effect of statin drugs on BMD.These findings not only deepen our understanding of the relationship between cholesterol-related genes and bone health but also reveal potential therapeutic targets for improving BMD.

Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization for analyzing the causal effect between gastroesophageal reflux disease and migraine headaches / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the causal association between the onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and migraine and to provide genetic evidence, a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method was used in this study. 【Methods】 Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information for both samples was obtained from publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) databases, in which the appropriate SNPs were selected as instrumental variables, and then bidirectional MR analysis used five MR analysis methods including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode and simple mode methods, followed by sensitivity analysis. 【Results】 IVW showed positive results of forward MR analysis with GERD as exposure [OR=1.398 7, 95%CI (1.181 7-1.655 6), P=9.59×10-5] , while no positive significance of reverse MR analysis results with migraine as exposure (P>0.05). The same results were obtained in methods other than MR-Egger method. Meanwhile, none of the instrumental variables were found to be horizontally polytomous (P=0.92, P=0.64), and the results were robust after the leave-one-out method to exclude single SNPs. 【Conclusion】 There may be a unidirectional causal association between GERD and migraine, and GERD is a risk factor for migraine development.

Bidirectional Mendelian randomization study on gut microbiota and constipation / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and constipation using Mendelian randomization (MR) method.@*Methods@#Genetic variation data of gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen Consortium database. The genetic variation data of constipation were sourced from the IEU Open GWAS database. A forward MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method with 2 511 SNPs associated with gut microbiota as instrumental variables, and constipation as study outcome, and a reverse MR analysis was performed with 13 microbiota-associated SNPs as instrumental variables and gut microbiota as study outcome. The heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran test, reverse causation of SNP were examined using MR Steiger test, and the horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using the MR-PRESSO test and MR-Egger regression. In addition, the robustness of the results was verified with the leave-one-out.@*Results@#Forward MR analysis results showed that an increased abundance of genus Coprococcus1 driven by host genetics was associated with a decreased risk of constipation (OR=0.791, 95%CI: 0.709-0.884), and increased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes driven by host genetics was associated with an increased risk of constipation (OR=1.240, 95%CI: 1.102-1.394). Cochran test detected no heterogeneity (both P>0.05), MR Steiger test was not revealed reverse causation of SNP, and neither the MR-PRESSO test nor the MR-Egger regression revealed horizontal pleiotropy of instrumental variables (all P>0.05), and the leave-one-out method confirmed the robustness of results. Reverse MR analysis showed no association between gut microbiota and constipation (both P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Genus Coprococcus1 and phylum Bacteroidetes in the gut microbiota are associated with constipation.

Association between endometrial cancer and breast cancer: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study / 预防医学

Objective@#To examine the causal relationship between endometrial cancer and breast cancer using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.@*Methods@#Genetic association data of endometrial cancer were collected through a meta analysis, including 54 884 participants and 9 464 330 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and genetic association data of breast cancer were collected through the Breast Cancer Society Consortium, with 228 951 participants and 10 680 257 SNPs. A forward MR analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method with 8 endometrial cancer-associated SNPs as instrumental variables and breast cancer as the study outcome, and a reverse MR analysis was performed with 112 breast cancer-associated SNPs as instrumental variables and endometrial cancer as the study outcome. The heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran's Q test, the horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using the MR-PRESSO test and MR-Egger regression, and the robustness of the results was verified with the leave-one-out.@*Results@#Forward MR analysis results showed that patients with genetically predicted endometrial cancer had an increased risk of breast cancer compared to those without endometrial cancer (OR=1.083, 95%CI: 1.037-1.132). Reverse MR analysis showed that patients with genetically predicted breast cancer had an increased risk of endometrial cancer compared to those without breast cancer (OR=1.070, 95%CI: 1.010-1.134). Cochran's Q test detected no heterogeneity (P>0.05), and neither the MR-PRESSO test nor the MR-Egger regression revealed horizontal pleiotropy of instrumental variables (both P>0.05). Leave-one-out analysis showed robustness of the MR analysis results.@*Conclusion@#There are bidirectional causal relationship between endometrial cancer and breast cancer.

Association between inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of parenteral malignancies: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Aim: Using Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the potential causal association between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the occurrence of parenteral malignancies, in order to provide some reference for the parenteral malignancy prevention in patients with IBD. Methods: This was a two-sample MR study based on independent genetic variants strongly linked to IBD selected from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) meta-analysis carried out by the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IIBDGC). Parenteral malignancy cases and controls were obtained from the FinnGen consortium and the UK Biobank (UKB) release data. Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger, and strength test (F) were utilized to explore the causal association of IBD with parenteral malignancies. In addition, Cochran's Q statistic was performed to quantify the heterogeneity of Instrumental Variables (IVs). Results: The estimates of IVW showed that patients with IBD had higher odds of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (OR = 1.2450, 95% CI: 1.0311‒1.5034). UC had potential causal associations with non-melanoma skin cancer (all p < 0.05), melanoma (OR = 1.0280, 95% CI: 0.9860‒1.0718), and skin cancer (OR = 1.0004, 95% CI: 1.0001‒1.0006). Also, having CD was associated with higher odds of non-melanoma skin cancer (all p < 0.05) and skin cancer (OR = 1.0287, 95% CI: 1.0022‒1.0559). In addition, results of pleiotropy and heterogeneity tests indicated these results are relatively robust. Conclusions: IBD has potential causal associations with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and skin cancers, which may provide some information on the prevention of parenteral malignancies in patients with IBD. Moreover, further studies are needed to explore the specific mechanisms of the effect of IBD on skin cancers.

Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis of the causal relationship between gut microbiota and sepsis / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To delve into the causal relationship between 211 gut microbiota and sepsis employing bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods The gut microbiota genome-wide association study(GWAS)data from the Microbiome Genetics Consortium(MiBioGen,n = 18 340)and sepsis GWAS data from the FinnGen(n = 286 146)were harnessed for this study.Initially,single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)significantly associated with the relative abundance of 211 gut microbiota taxa were identified as instrumental variables using predefined selection criteria.The primary analytical approach was characterized by the application of inverse variance weighting(IVW),with the effect measure represented by the odds ratio(OR)to assess the results of MR.To ensure precision and reliability,analyses were conducted,including leave-one-out analysis,heterogeneity testing,and tests for pleiotropy at both coherent and incoherent levels.Results The increased risk of sepsis was associated with the elevated abundance of Collinsella[OR = 1.28,95%confidence interval(95%CI)was 1.06-1.56,P = 0.01]and Ruminococcus(OR = 1.19,95%CI was 1.05-1.35,P = 0.005).Furthermore,a protective effect against the development of sepsis was observed in association with the increased abundance of Prevotella(OR = 0.88,95%CI was 0.79-0.97,P = 0.01)and Firmicutes(OR = 0.86,95%CI was 0.75-0.996,P = 0.04).No obvious heterogeneity and irrelevant level pleiotropy were detected.Conclusion Collinsella and Ruminococcus increase the risk of sepsis,while Prevotella and Firmicutes have protective effects against sepsis.

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and vestibular dysfunction： a mendelian randomization study / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Objective Previous research has indicated a discernible association between gut microbiota and vestibular dysfunction； however，further investigation is required to establish a causal relationship. This study aims to comprehensively study the causal relationship between gut microbiota and vestibular dysfunction and determine the species of related gut microbes. Methods A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed. The gut microbiome data of 18 340 individuals obtained from the genome-wide association study （GWAS） by the MiBioGen consortium in 2021 were used as the exposure samples. The GWAS data related to vestibular dysfunction were used as the outcome samples. The inverse variance weighting method was employed to analyze the gut microbiome data. The results were assessed based on the odds ratio（OR）as the effect index with 95% confidence interval（CI）. The stability and reliability of the findings were assessed using the leave-one-out，heterogeneity，horizontal pleiotropy，and false discovery rate approaches. Results The results indicated a significant association between an elevated abundance of Bifidobacterium and a decreased risk of vestibular dysfunction. Furthermore，the leave-one-out method confirmed the stability of the results and the absence of instrumental variables exerting substantial influence on the findings. The causal relationship was negative. The influence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy on the causal effect could be eliminated. Conclusion Bifidobacterium may affect vestibular dysfunction by influencing 5-HT through the “gut-brain axis”，but this result still needs further verification.

Association of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Anti-reflux Drug Target Genes with Obstructive Sleep Apnea:A Drug-targeted Mendelian Randomization Study / 医药导报

Objective To evaluate the causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)and obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)using two-sample Mendelian randomization(2SMR)and to identify potentially beneficial drugs and pathways for OSA from GERD treatment options.Methods The 2SMR was used as the primary analysis method,and multivariable Mendelian randomization(MVMR)was used to adjust for the potential impact of obesity on both diseases.Secondly,the DrugBank database was used to search for target genes of anti-reflux drugs used to treat GERD,and the dbSNP database was used to determine the target gene loci to identify the genetic tools of anti-reflux drugs.Significant target genes related to OSA risk were obtained through 2SMR analysis.Finally,the target genes were subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis and Gene Ontology(GO)analysis using the DAVID database.Results The genetically predicted risk of GERD was significantly associated with an increased risk of OSA[OR=1.43,95%CI=(1.33,1.54),P=5.29×10-22],and MVMR analysis showed that this result remained robust after adjusting for obesity.Four significant genes,including BCHE,DRD2,GRM5,and PTGER3,were identified,which are related to drugs such as nizatidine,bromperidol,ADX10059,and misoprostol.KEGG analysis identified three pathways.Conclusion GERD increases the risk of developing OSA,and anti-reflux drug targets can provide useful genetic clues for drug development in OSA treatment.

Interprofessional Undergraduate Analytical Study on Anger Management

Introduction:Anger has been defined in many ways from “a negative, phenomenological (or internal) feeling state”to “a basic emotion in which the function is to provide the organism with motivated capacities to overcome obstacles”.Anger has been the subject of many discourses and its vehemence in many religions and cultures. The study aimed to determine the ability of anger management among different gender and factors associated with anger management. Methods: This is a cross-sectional prospective study. The validated ‘Quality of Life’ questionnaire from University of Washington, Seattle Washington, United Sates of Americaand Novaco Anger Scale from Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio (WHOQOL-BREF) were used for students’ perception on anger management. Quantitative data were analyzed using Epi Info Version. 7 Software. Results:The total of 358 students participated in this study. There is a significant association between anger management among different ethnicity.Conclusion: Gender was not a significant factor in anger management, it was probably due to equal opportunity among male and female in acquiring education, application for scholarships and usage of education facilities. Gender equality had a big impact in enhancing the good anger management properties

Consideration on cardiotoxicity and clinical safety evaluation method of Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Traditional Chinese medicine has developed for thousands of years, and its clinical application has unique advantages. It is generally believed that Chinese medicine (CM) has few toxic and side effects and it is safe. However, in recent years, more and more clinical cases and basic research reports about hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity of CM have been reported. Therefore, we also increasingly concerned about the toxicity of Chinese materia medica (CMM). Cardiotoxicity assessment is an important index that must be considered before clinical trials of drugs. It also plays an important role in the research and development of new Chinese medicines and the standardized application of clinical safety of CM. Then, how to identify the cardiotoxicity of CMM, grasp the clinical characteristics, detection indicators, evaluation methods, and diagnostic elements are the main problems we are facing. In this paper, we summarized many researches and pre-clinical evaluation techniques of cardiotoxicity of CMM in recent years, and discussed and considered the clinical evaluation methods of cardiotoxicity of CMM.

Review of the recent Supreme Court decision on the causal relationship of occupational diseases

A theoretical study advocated for alleviating the worker's responsibility of burden of proof to establish the causality of an occupational disease, since such a responsibility is unfair to the worker. The recent judgment has adopted some of these arguments for alleviating the worker's responsibility of burden of proof, and the judgment is significant since it is the first Supreme Court decision to recognize the causality of occupational diseases. The judgment expressly confirms that it is more proactive to recognize the causal relationship between work and certain diseases, and to provide compensation for industrial accidents to employees who are exposed to harmful substances at all times. In addition, the judgment also confirms that coverage of industrial safety and health risks is in accordance with the original purpose and function of the industrial accident insurance system, which aims to share risks through public insurance.

Reliability of the Evaluation Methods Used to Assess a Causal Relationship between Dietary Supplement Intake and Changes in Adverse Events / 医薬品情報学

<b>Objective: </b>This study aimed to confirm whether the methods for assessing the reported causal relationship between dietary supplement intake and adverse events are reliable in the clinical setting.<br><b>Design: </b>The relationships between supplement intake and adverse events were assessed using two algorithms proposed in our previous report, and causal relationships were evaluated.<br><b>Methods: </b>Twelve raters with a high probability of handling adverse event information examined 200 records of dialogues with supplement users.  Each rater independently assessed the causal relationship using the two algorithms.  The relationships between supplement intake and adverse events were assessed for all 200 cases.  Variability in the evaluation among raters was analyzed for each occupation and the whole group of raters.  The distributions of evaluation were analyzed, and inter-rater reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Fleiss’ kappa coefficient.<br><b>Results: </b>All events of 200 cases seemed to be slight and within the range of variation in daily life.  Almost all cases were classified into two categories as “Possible” and “Lack of Information” by each rater.  The ICC values for all raters, pharmacists, dieticians, and health care workers were 0.644, 0.573, 0.678, and 0.694, respectively, and the kappa coefficients using the two algorithms were 0.466, 0.426, 0.468, and 0.519 and 0.481, 0.478, 0.465, and 0.517, respectively.  There were moderate levels of agreement based on the kappa coefficients and ICC values.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>The two algorithms proposed in our previous report may be reliable in the clinical setting.  Their reliability could be enhanced by establishing a unified method of accumulation and recording adverse events for supplement intake, which should be evaluated by more raters using more cases of adverse events.

Reliability and validity of the scale of hurting factors participation for mental disorders / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To test reliability and validity on the scale of hurting factors participation for mental disorders (SHFP-MD).Methods 402 cases were retrospectively evaluated by SHFP-MD from 13 forensic psychiatric appraisal agencies in China,and all cases were involved causal relationships in mental injury from July 2010 to June 2012.42 cases were evaluated a month later again.13 raters evaluated respectively for five cases.52 cases involved causal relationship of mental impairment were evaluated prospectively in January 2013 to June 2014.The validity of the scale was tested by experts assessed as a criterion level of relationship.Results ①The retest correlation coefficient on all items of SHFP-MD were between 0.746-0.989,and the time reliability of test-retest on the full scale score was 0.970 interval of one month.Raters reliability between 0.57 to 1.00; overall average reliability was 0.84 (P＜0.01).②The total coincidence rate was 90.4％-91.0％ between the demarcation scores of SHFP-MD and the grade identification of forensic psychiatrists respectively and prospectively(P＞0.05).Conclusion SHFP-MD has good reliability and validity,and met the basic requirements of scale assessment.

A review on the effects of health insurance on health status / 中国卫生政策研究

This paper reviews studies on the relationship between health insurance and health status both at home and abroad. First, we put forward three viewpoints on their relationship;Second, based on different data, we review the studies from three different perspectives; Third, we review the recent studies at home. The paper draws the conclusion as following:(1) most studies on observational data prove that there is relationship between health in-surance and health status. To establish the causal relationship between them, we must overcome the endogeneity of health insurance. ( 2 ) Different studies have different conclusions, which are caused by different methodology and subjects. (3)The conclusions cannot be generalized to whole populations. Future studies should focus on the effect of different health insurance on different populations.

A Longitudinal Study on the Causal Association Between Smoking and Depression / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the causal relationship between smoking and depression using longitudinal data. METHODS: Two waves of the Korea Welfare Panel collected in 2006 and 2007 were used. The sample consisted of 14 426 in 2006 and 13 052 in 2007 who were aged 20 and older. Smoking was measured by smoking amount (none/ or = two packs). Depression was defined when the summated CESD (center for epidemiological studies depression)-11 score was greater than or equal to 16. The causal relationship between smoking and depression was tested using logistic regression. In order to test the causal effect of smoking on depression, depression at year 2 was regressed on smoking status at year 1 only using the sample without depression at year 1. Likewise, smoking status at year 2 was regressed on depression at year 1 only using those who were not smoking at year 1 in order to test the causal effect of depression on smoking. The statistical package used was Stata 10.0. Sampling weights were applied to obtain the population estimation. RESULTS: The logistic regression testing for the causal relationship between smoking and depression showed that smoking at year 1 was significantly related to depression at year 2. Smoking amounts associated with depression were different among age groups. On the other hand, the results from the logistic regression testing for the opposite direction of the relationship between smoking and depression found no significant association regardless of age group. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed some evidence that smoking caused depression but not the other way around.

Smoking and lung cancer: foundation of modern epidemiology / 한국역학회지

Since its introduction to western world in 16th century, smoking has been one of the most popular parts of human life. Its health hazards, however, has rarely been evaluated before mid 20th century. After early suggestion of association with lip cancer and pipe smoking, which was falsely associated with the heat of the pipe smoking, association between rapidly increasing incidence of lung cancer and increasing popularity of smoking habit in the western world has been suggested in late 1940s. Initial case-control studies, in spite of its proneness to various biases, aroused the relevance of the relationship. It was supported by following well-designed case-control studies and new method, cohort studies in both coast of the Atlantic. Consistency of the results of epidemiologic studies and additional support from animal experiments made the causal relationship to be accepted from scientific community, and finally from public and governments. Establishment of criteria of causal relationship was also established in the process of investigation of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer. Smoking is most common cause attributable to lung cancers in most of the world. It is also responsible for the many cancers, including larynx, bladder, oral cavity, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, stomach, liver, and myeloid leukemia; and cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, and other degenerative disorders. Passive (or environmental tobacco) smoking has also been found to be hazardous. Establishment of causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer has been a landmark in the development of epidemiologic methods and concepts, which played the key role in the evaluation of risk factors and preventive intervention on the chronic degenerative disorders.