Abstract
Background The objective of this study is to utilize Mendelian randomization to scrutinize the
mutual causality between migraine and venous thromboembolism (VTE) thereby addressing
the heterogeneity and inconsistency that were observed in prior observational studies
concerning the potential interrelation of the two conditions.
Methods Employing a bidirectional Mendelian randomization approach, the study explored the
link between migraine and VTE, incorporating participants of European descent from
a large-scale meta-analysis. An inverse-variance weighted (IVW) regression model,
with random-effects, leveraging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental
variables was utilized to endorse the mutual causality between migraine and VTE. SNP
heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q-test and to account for multiple testing,
correction was implemented using the intercept of the MR-Egger method, and a leave-one-out
analysis.
Results The IVW model unveiled a statistically considerable causal link between migraine
and the development of VTE (odds ratio [OR] = 96.155, 95% confidence interval [CI]:
4.342–2129.458, p = 0.004), implying that migraine poses a strong risk factor for VTE development.
Conversely, both IVW and simple model outcomes indicated that VTE poses as a weaker
risk factor for migraine (IVW OR = 1.002, 95% CI: 1.000–1.004, p = 0.016). The MR-Egger regression analysis denoted absence of evidence for genetic
pleiotropy among the SNPs while the durability of our Mendelian randomization results
was vouched by the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis.
Conclusion The findings of this Mendelian randomization assessment provide substantiation for
a reciprocal causative association between migraine and VTE within the European population.
Keyword
Mendelian randomization - migraine - venous thromboembolism - bidirectional - causality
