Summary
This Mendelian randomisation study investigated bidirectional causal relationships between gut microbiota composition and autoimmune thyroid disease (Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis) using GWAS summary statistics. Multiple bacterial taxa were identified as either protective factors (e.g. Methanobrevibacter, Prevotella 7, Butyrivibrio) or risk factors (e.g. Intestinibacter, Barnesiella) for specific thyroid conditions, with reverse analysis suggesting no significant reverse causality from disease to microbiota composition.
Regional applicability
The findings are based on population-level genetic data and are applicable globally, including to United Kingdom populations with autoimmune thyroid disease. However, the mechanistic pathways and potential microbiota-targeted interventions would require validation in UK clinical cohorts accounting for local dietary and environmental exposures that shape microbiota composition.
Key measures
Odds ratios (OR) with p-values for associations between bacterial taxa (at family, genus, and order levels) and Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis; heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy assessment
Outcomes reported
The study identified specific bacterial taxa with protective or risk effects on Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis using bidirectional Mendelian randomisation. Reverse analysis indicated that autoimmune thyroid disease did not exert significant causal influence on gut microbiota composition.
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