Causal Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis: A Mendelian Randomization Study

The purpose of this study is to explore the causal association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis using Mendelian randomization (MR). RA and periodontitis share similar inflammatory pathways and immune responses, but their causal relationship remains unclear. This study will utilize genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data from an East Asian population to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with RA and assess their potential impact on the risk of developing periodontitis. Statistical methods such as inverse-variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median analysis will be employed to analyze the data. The findings may provide insights into the shared genetic basis and causal relationships between these two conditions, offering potential targets for preventive strategies.