Investigating causal relationships between genetically determined increased risk of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and atopic dermatitis (AD): A Mendelian randomization analysis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition with a huge disease burden. Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often diagnosed in children, and is associated with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. Observational studies have demonstrated associations between AD and ADHD. However, to date, there has been no formal assessment of causal relationship between the two. We aim to evaluate causal relationships between genetically increased risk of AD and ADHD using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Two‐sample bi‐directional MR was conducted to elucidate potential causal relationships between genetically increased risk of AD and ADHD, using the largest and most recent genome‐wide association study datasets for AD and ADHD—EArly Genetics & Lifecourse Epidemiology AD consortium (21 399 cases and 95 464 controls) and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (20 183 cases and 35 191 controls). Genetically determined increased risk of AD is not associated with ADHD based on genetic information: odds ratio (OR) of 1.02 (95% CI −0.93 to 1.11; p = 0.705). Similarly, genetic determined increased risk of ADHD is not associated with an increased risk of AD: OR of 0.90 (95% CI −0.76 to 1.07; p = 0.236). Horizontal pleiotropy was not observed from the MR‐Egger intercept test (p = 0.328) Current MR analysis showed no causal relationship between genetically increased risk of AD and ADHD in either direction in individuals of European descent. Any observed associations between AD and ADHD in previous population studies could possibly be due to confounding lifestyle factors such as psychosocial stress and sleeping habits.