Evaluating genetic insights into ulcerative colitis and anxiety: Limitations and future directions.

Abstract

We reviewed the study by He et al, which investigates the genetic correlation between ulcerative colitis (UC) and anxiety using bidirectional Mendelian randomization. This study reveals a genetic link between UC and anxiety, diverging from prior research associating higher anxiety with Crohn's disease. While the study's use of large-scale genome-wide association studies data is commendable, it faces limitations such as single nucleotide polymorphism selection biases, lack of multiple testing corrections, and a reliance on European populations. Future research should address these limitations, incorporate diverse populations, and explore psychotherapeutic interventions to improve UC management and patient outcomes.