reviewResearch Synthesis MethodsMar 12, 2019HYBRID OA

Meta‐analysis and Mendelian randomization: A review

JBJack BowdenMVMichael V. Holmes

University of Bristol · Medical Research Council · +2 more institutions

PubMed
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Abstract

Mendelian randomization (MR) uses genetic variants as instrumental variables to infer whether a risk factor causally affects a health outcome. Meta-analysis has been used historically in MR to combine results from separate epidemiological studies, with each study using a small but select group of genetic variants. In recent years, it has been used to combine genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for large numbers of genetic variants. Heterogeneity among the causal estimates obtained from multiple genetic variants points to a possible violation of the necessary instrumental variable assumptions. In this article, we provide a basic introduction to MR and the instrumental variable theory that it…

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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Mendelian randomization
  • Instrumental variable
  • Genome-wide association study
  • Causal inference
  • Computer science
  • Genetic association
  • Econometrics
  • Meta-analysis
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Good health and well-being
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