Causal associations between frailty and low back pain: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Background

Previous observational studies have revealed a potentially robust bidirectional relationship between frailty and low back pain (LBP). However, the precise causal relationship remains unclear.

Methods

To examine the potential causal association between frailty and LBP, we conducted bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis (MR) study. Genetic data on frailty index (FI) and LBP were acquired from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Various MR methodologies were utilized, such as inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger, to evaluate causality. Additionally, sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the findings.

Results

Genetically predicted higher FI (IVW, odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, 95% CI 1.17–2.36, p = 4.92E-03) was associated with a higher risk of LBP. As for the reverse direction, genetic liability to LBP showed consistent associations with a higher FI (IVW, OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.07–1.19, p = 2.67E-05). The outcomes from various MR techniques and sensitivity analyses indicate the robustness of our findings.

Conclusion

Our research findings provide additional evidence bolstering the bidirectional causal relationship between frailty and LBP.