The causal relationship between atopic dermatitis and retinal detachment: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

A 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to determine the causal relationship between atopic dermatitis (AD) and retinal detachment (RD). Data related to AD and RD were retrieved from genome-wide association study databases, from which independent single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected as instrumental variables. MR analyses were performed using methods including inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, and weighted median. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy were detected via Cochran's Q test and MR-Egger intercept. Outliers were analyzed using Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) and leave-one-out analysis. Reverse MR analysis was applied to determine the direction of the causal association between AD and RD. Inverse variance weighting analysis indicated a potential causal relationship between AD and RD (OR: 1.096; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.000-1.201; P = .048), and the weighted median approach also supported this conclusion (OR: 1.165; 95% CI: 1.023-1.328; P = .021). Additionally, reverse MR analysis did not indicate a causal relationship of RD to AD (OR: 0.993; 95% CI: 0.960-1.027; P = .704). No heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was observed, suggesting robust results. This study confirmed a potential causal effect of AD on RD, and reverse MR analysis revealed that this causal association is unidirectional. Our results indicate a potential causal effect between AD and RD. It is recommended that healthcare providers be aware of the potential ocular complications in AD patients to ensure early detection and intervention, preventing irreversible progression.