Mood instability shows a potential causal link to gastrointestinal diseases, emphasizing the need to consider mood regulation in digestive disease prevention strategies.
A Mendelian randomization study revealed that genetic predisposition to mood instability dramatically escalates the risk of several gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and internal hemorrhoids—even after accounting for psychiatric conditions like depression and bipolar disorder.
Mood instability, characterized by sudden and unpredictable emotional shifts, is commonly seen in psychiatric disorders but has been poorly understood in relation to GI health. Hence, this study explored the connection between mood instability and the likelihood of developing GI diseases.
Using data from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) Open genome-wide association study (GWAS) database, UK Biobank, and FinnGen, researchers examined genetic variants linked with mood instability and 28 GI diseases.
Univariable mendelian randomization analysis identified strong associations between mood instability and conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cholelithiasis, and acute gastritis. When adjusting for psychiatric disorders in multivariable analysis, the link remained significant for internal hemorrhoids, cirrhosis, and pancreatitis (acute and chronic).
These findings suggest that mood instability is more than just a psychiatric concern—it could be a contributing factor to digestive ailments. Addressing emotional regulation and mental health may play a pivotal role in preventing certain GI disorders, emphasizing the gut-brain connection as an important area for upcoming research and healthcare interventions.
Annals of General Psychiatry
Mood instability and risk of gastrointestinal diseases - a univariable and multivariable mendelian randomization study
Rui-lin Liu et al.
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