Genetic insights into the association between serum cytokines and frozen shoulder risk: A bidirectional mendelian randomization study

Background

Although existing studies have indicated a connection between chronic low-grade inflammation and the onset of frozen shoulder (FS), the precise causal relationship between distinct circulating inflammatory factors and FS has yet to be thoroughly evaluated. In this study, we employed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the potential causal relationship between systemic cytokines and FS.

Methods

A genome-wide association dataset comprising 41 serum cytokines from 8,293 individuals of Finnish descent was utilized, along with FS data from the UK Biobank included 10,104 FS cases and 451,099 controls. The primary MR method was the inverse variance weighted approach, and four additional MR techniques (MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode) were also employed to support and validate the findings. Heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy assessments were assessed using Cochrane’s Q and MR-Egger intercept tests. Moreover, a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to strengthen the accuracy and credibility of these findings.

Results

Based on the IVW method, genetically predicted increasing levels of growth regulated oncogene alpha (GROa) (OR=1.08, 95 % CI 1.02–1.13, P=0.005), interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) (OR=1.09, 95 % CI 1.02–1.17, P=0.010), regulated on activation, C–C Motif Chemokine Ligand 5 (CCL5) (OR=1.11, 95 % CI 1.03–1.20, P=0.007) were suggestively associated with an increased risk of FS. Reverse MR analysis revealed no significant causal effect of FS on the 41 systemic inflammatory factors. No heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed in our analysis.

Conclusion

This study established a causal association between 41 systemic inflammatory factors and FS, indicating that elevated levels of GROa, IP-10 and CCL5 were associated with a higher risk of FS. Further research is warranted to explore the potential of these biomarkers as early predictors and therapeutic targets for FS.