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image of Genetic Evidence for Causal Effects of Lipid-lowering Drug Targets on Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Abstract

Introduction

Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting lacrimal and salivary glands. While previous studies suggest potential associations between dyslipidemia and autoimmune diseases, the causal relationship between lipid-lowering medications and pSS remains unclear.

Methods

This study employed drug-targeted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the impact of lipid-lowering drugs on pSS risk, focusing on genetic targets including HMGCR, PCSK9, NPC1L1, APOB, CETP, and LDLR. Data were sourced from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium and UK Biobank. Significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to LDL cholesterol were utilized as instrumental variables. Causal effects were estimated using Inverse Variance Weighted, Weighted Median, MR Egger, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode methods. Robustness was ensured through heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.

Results

The inhibition of HMGCR and CETP genes was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of developing pSS (HMGCR: OR = 3.602, 95% CI [1.051, 12.344], p = 0.041; CETP: OR = 12.251, 95% CI [2.599, 57.743], p = 0.002).

Discussion

HMGCR and CETP may affect pSS risk via non-lipid pathways, suggesting distinct mechanisms among different lipid-lowering drug targets.

Conclusion

This study provides compelling evidence suggesting that lipid-lowering drugs may contribute to the risk of pSS, thus offering new insights for clinical intervention strategies.

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2025-08-04
2025-10-27

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Genetic Evidence for Causal Effects of Lipid-lowering Drug Targets on Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Bentham Science Publishers ; https://doi.org/10.2174/0113892010387265250730110805
/content/journals/cpb/10.2174/0113892010387265250730110805
/content/journals/cpb/10.2174/0113892010387265250730110805
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keywords: causal inference ; Primary Sjögren's syndrome ; dyslipidemia ; mendelian randomization ; lipid-lowering drugs ; single nucleotide polymorphisms

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