Genetic analysis reveals a causal relationship between air pollution and erectile dysfunction

To evaluate the causal relationship between air pollution and erectile dysfunction (ED). This study was evaluated by the method of double sample Mendelian random grouping (MR). The exposure data were from the GWAS data set of British biological bank (n = 461). Results the data were integrated into three cohorts (223805 healthy controls and 6175 ED patients). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis was mainly used, supplemented by Mr egger regression, weighted median and Cochran's Q test. One analysis was reserved for quality control, and Bonferroni correction was used for multiple tests. The increase of PM2.5 predicted by gene was significantly correlated with the increased risk of ED (IVW or = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.12 – 2.43, P = 0.010), which was still significant after Bonferroni correction (p –2) After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate MR analysis confirmed that PM2.5 had an independent causal effect on ed. Mr egger regression showed no horizontal pleiotropy (intercept P > 0.05), and no heterogeneity or abnormal single nucleotide polymorphisms were found. This is the first genetic evidence that PM2.5 is an independent risk factor for ED. it is emphasized that air pollution control is the key public health strategy for global ed prevention.

本研究旨在探讨空气污染与勃起功能障碍（Erectile Dysfunction, ED）之间的因果关联。本研究采用双样本孟德尔随机化（Mendelian Randomization, MR）方法开展分析，暴露组数据来源于英国生物银行的全基因组关联研究（Genome-Wide Association Study, GWAS）数据集，样本量为461例。结局数据整合自3个队列，共纳入223805名健康对照者与6175名ED患者。分析主要采用逆方差加权（Inverse Variance Weighted, IVW）法，辅以MR Egger回归、加权中位数法及科克伦Q检验；预留1项分析用于质量控制，并采用邦费罗尼校正处理多重检验问题。基因预测的PM2.5水平升高与ED发病风险升高呈显著相关（IVW分析比值比OR=1.65，95%置信区间CI=1.12~2.43，P=0.010），经邦费罗尼校正后仍具有统计学意义（p –2）。在调整混杂因素后，多变量MR分析证实PM2.5对ED具有独立的因果效应。MR Egger回归结果显示不存在水平多效性（截距项P>0.05），未发现异质性或异常单核苷酸多态性（Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, SNP）。本研究首次提供遗传学证据表明PM2.5是ED的独立危险因素，强调空气污染防控是全球ED预防的关键公共卫生策略。