To our knowledge, this study marks the initial application of a two-sample MR method to investigate the potential causal relationship between AIT and periodontitis within European ancestry populations, assessing causality bidirectionally. Overall, our findings do not substantiate the presence of a reciprocal genetic predisposition linking these two conditions.
Human clinical studies have indicated a deteriorated periodontal status among patients with thyroid disease[5, 17]. There are several possible explanations for the association between periodontitis and AIT. First, the impact of thyroid hormone on periodontal health has been scrutinized in animal research. Hypothyroidism amplifies periodontitis-associated bone loss by increasing the quantity of resorbed cells[15]. Second, thyroiditis initiates low-grade inflammation through diminished nitric oxide availability and heightened levels of serum prostaglandins, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This cascade ultimately contributes to compromised periodontal health and the resorption of alveolar bone[28]. Third, vascular alterations within the interdental papilla are evident in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients. Patients with HT exhibit a discernible decrease in capillary caliber alongside an increased count and convoluted nature of capillary loops. Microvascular changes within the interdental papilla may constitute a potential risk factor for the intricate orchestration of local periodontal defense mechanisms, suggesting a consequential association with periodontal disease[29]. Disrupted gingival microcirculation can compromise the primary line of defense, increasing the levels of prostaglandin E, cytokines, and oxidative stress, thereby contributing to the onset of periodontitis[30]. Moreover, research suggests that 79% of the likelihood of developing AIT is linked to genetic factors, with environmental factors contributing to the remaining 21%. Notably, among the identified AIT susceptibility genes are immune-modulating genes such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), CD40, and protein tyrosine phosphatase-22 (PTPN22)[31]. Studies have indicated that variants in the CTLA-4 gene may be linked to susceptibility to particular forms of periodontitis and could contribute to the development of chronic periodontitis (CP)[32].
Several plausible explanations account for the disparate findings observed. First, the association between AIT and periodontitis may be incidental, representing a concurrent phenomenon. Second, the GWAS data on AIT and PD are imperfect, and further GWAS are essential to enhance the reliability of the conclusions. Third, the influence of confounding factors on clinical studies demands consideration as a potential contributor to the observed variations.
Nevertheless, the present study has several limitations. First, the primary MR approach heavily relies on the inference of SNPs identified through GWAS. However, due to the varying quality control standards applied across individual GWASs, mitigating potential confounding biases posed a considerable challenge in our study, impacting the accuracy of the results. Second, the instrumental variables employed for periodontitis exhibited weak associations, with p values resting at 5 × 10− 6, falling short of the conventional threshold of 5 × 10− 8. Third, our study's population restriction to individuals of European ancestry necessitates caution when extrapolating these findings to other populations, limiting the generalizability of our conclusions. Hence, there is a need for further well-constructed prospective studies aimed at reducing observational study biases. In addition, the results must be treated rationally, and replication of our MR analysis using more complete GWAS datasets is necessary. The forthcoming accessibility of augmented data capable of elucidating a greater proportion of phenotypic variance holds potential for uncovering additional evidence supporting a causal nexus between AIT and periodontitis.