The relationship between otitis media and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

Existing research suggests a potential link between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Otitis media (OM). Nevertheless, the specifics of this correlation are not clearly defined. In order to explore the genetic link between GERD and OM, this study engaged a 2-sample Mendelian randomization methodology. Initial steps comprised careful selection of instrumental variables, namely the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), following strict quality control guidelines. The selected SNPs underwent MR analyses involving inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, weighted median, and simple mode. Horizontal pleiotropy was checked through MR-Egger intercept and the inverse variance weighted tests. To probe the robustness of the observed link and certify result reliability, a leave-one-out analysis was carried out. Using the inverse variance weighted approach, higher genetic liability to GERD was associated with increased risk of acute suppurative OM, chronic suppurative OM, and suppurative and unspecified OM. Concordant evidence was obtained with the weighted median and MR-Egger estimators. Across data sources, heterogeneity tests were not significant (P > .05), and the MR-Egger intercept did not indicate directional pleiotropy (P > .05), suggesting that horizontal pleiotropy is unlikely to bias the causal estimates. Leave-one-out analyses showed negligible changes when any single SNP was removed, supporting robustness.