ArticleEpidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)2017
Sensitivity Analyses for Robust Causal Inference from Mendelian Randomization Analyses with Multiple Genetic Variants.
Article in Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1,184 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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1,184 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Genetically predicted associations between inflammatory cytokines and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A Mendelian randomization study.Medicine · 2026Pooled it
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- Exploring the causal effect of genetically predicted blood and cerebrospinal fluid metabolites and metabolic pathways on intracranial aneurysm.The Journal of international medical research · 2026Pooled it
- Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology using Mendelian randomization (STROBE-MR): a Korean translation of explanation and elaboration.Ewha medical journal · 2025Guideline
- Genetic correlation and causal relationships between autoimmune thyroid disease and major depressive disorders.Acta neuropsychiatrica · 2025Pooled it
- Cross-trait analysis reveals shared genetic architecture between mental health and cardiovascular traits.Global medical genetics · 2026Article
- Association between circadian rhythm-related behaviors and breast cancer: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.Future science OA · 2026Article
- Divergent associations between adiposity and hernia subtypes in European populations: A Mendelian randomization study.Medicine · 2026Article
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- Association of dietary patterns with the prevalence of rheumatic diseases among older Chinese adults: a national cross-sectional survey.Clinical rheumatology · 2026Article
- Association Between Graves' Disease and the Risk of Thyroid Carcinoma: The Role of Clinical, Metabolic, Hormonal, Immunological, and Ultrasound Biomarkers.Metabolites · 2026Review
- Brain imaging-derived phenotypes influence risk of bipolar disorder: comprehensive exposome-wide association and wide-angled genetic analyses.BMC medicine · 2026Article
1,124 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Abstract
Mendelian randomization investigations are becoming more powerful and simpler to perform, due to the increasing size and coverage of genome-wide association studies and the increasing availability of summarized data on genetic associations with risk factors and disease outcomes. However, when using multiple genetic variants from different gene regions in a Mendelian randomization analysis, it is highly implausible that all the genetic variants satisfy the instrumental variable assumptions. This means that a simple instrumental variable analysis alone should not be relied on to give a causal conclusion. In this article, we discuss a range of sensitivity analyses that will either support or question the validity of causal inference from a Mendelian randomization analysis with multiple genetic variants. We focus on sensitivity analyses of greatest practical relevance for ensuring robust causal inferences, and those that can be undertaken using summarized data. Aside from cases in which the justification of the instrumental variable assumptions is supported by strong biological understanding, a Mendelian randomization analysis in which no assessment of the robustness of the findings to violations of the instrumental variable assumptions has been made should be viewed as speculative and incomplete. In particular, Mendelian randomization investigations with large numbers of genetic variants without such sensitivity analyses should be treated with skepticism.
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