The impact of PM on lung function and chronic respiratory diseases: insights from genetic evidence.

BACKGROUND

PM has been associated with various adverse health effects, particularly affecting lung function and chronic respiratory diseases. However, the genetic causality relationship between PM exposure and lung function as well as chronic respiratory diseases remains poorly understood.

METHOD

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal impact of PM on lung function and chronic respiratory diseases. Instrumental variables were carefully selected, with significance thresholds (P < 5 × 10), and linkage disequilibrium with an r value below 0.001. Additionally, SNPs with an F-statistic exceeding 10 were included to mitigate potential bias stemming from weak instrumental variables. The primary analytical approach employed the Inverse Variance Weighted method, supplemented by the Weighted Median, MR-Egger, Simple Model, and Weighted Model. Furthermore, pleiotropy and heterogeneity were evaluated through the MR-Egger intercept test and Cochrane's Q test, with a sensitivity analysis conducted using the leave-one-out method.

RESULTS

Eight SNPs significantly associated with PM exposure were identified as Instrumental variables. Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant causal association between PM exposure and lung function (FEV), with an OR of 0.7284 (95% CI: 0.5799-0.9150). Similarly, PM exposure demonstrated a substantial causal effect on asthma, with an OR of 1.5280 (95% CI: 1.0470-2.2299). However, no causal association was observed between PM exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with an OR of 1.5176 (95% CI: 0.8294-2.7768).

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize the necessity for continued research efforts in environmental health to develop effective strategies for the prevention and management of chronic respiratory diseases.