Genetically predicted plasma cortisol and common chronic diseases: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors' conclusion
There is strong evidence for a causal association between plasma cortisol and greater risk for hypertension, potentially mediated by obesity.
Study context
- Population
- General population; summary-level statistics from publicly available genetic consortia; three cortisol-associated variants in the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 region as instruments
- Comparison
- 1 SD higher genetically predicted plasma cortisol
- Outcome
- Hypertension, T2D, osteoporosis, depression and schizophrenia
Methodological detailstwo-sample, inverse-variance-weighted, multivariable Mendelian randomization
- Two-sample
- Inverse-variance-weighted
- Multivariable Mendelian randomization
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Per 1 SD higher genetically predicted plasma cortisol
Hypertension, OR
1.12
95% CI 1.05–1.18
Systolic blood pressure, MD in SD change
0.03
95% CI 0.01–0.05
Diastolic blood pressure, MD in SD change
0.03
95% CI 0.01–0.04
Further findings
Mediation (multivariable MR)
- Association with hypertension attenuated upon adjustment for waist circumference, suggesting potential mediation through central obesity
Original publication
Genetically predicted plasma cortisol and common chronic diseases: A Mendelian randomization study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Published 5 September 2023. doi:10.
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