Research unveils depression and neuroticism as endometriosis risk factors

In a bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, depression and neuroticism were found to be causal factors for endometriosis risk, with no causal links found between anxiety and endometriosis. Endometriosis exhibited no causal effect on depression, anxiety, or neuroticism. This study by Jiaxun Zhang et al. investigated the connection between depression, anxiety, neuroticism, and endometriosis via a bidirectional 2-sample MR technique using data from genome-wide association studies.

Analytical tools such as MR-Egger regression, Simple mode, Weighted median estimation, Weighted mode, and Inverse variance weighting (IVW) were employed to examine the causal links between mental health disorders and endometriosis. Reverse MR was used to look at the possibility of reverse causation. Sensitivity analysis, which included leave-one-out analyses, pleiotropy tests, and heterogeneity tests, were performed to raise the reliability of the results.

In the IVW investigation, a strong genetic predisposition to depression and an increased incidence of endometriosis [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.151, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.025–1.293, P = .017] were shown to be correlated. Additionally linked to the  increased incidence of endometriosis (OR = 1.128, 95% CI = 1.038–1.226, P = .004) was a genetic propensity towards neuroticism. But, there was no proof that endometriosis and anxiety were related. There was no evidence of a bidirectional genetic predisposition between endometriosis and mental problems according to reverse MR analysis.

The MR analysis supported the idea that depression and neuroticism are risk factors for endometriosis, but anxiety was not shown to have a direct relationship with the ailment. Future studies must use larger sample sizes to verify causal linkages and investigate processes from other perspectives. Early psychological support for endometriosis sufferers may be valuable in therapeutic settings, offering fresh perspectives on disease prevention and management. Enhancing mental health treatment should be prioritized as endometriosis preventative strategy.