Research Outline
Research Questions:
1. Are specific gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (e.g., IBS, *H. pylori* infection, peptic ulcers, GERD, IBD, constipation) associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome, RA, SLE, ANCA-associated vasculitis)?
2. Do autoimmune diseases increase the likelihood of developing specific GI disorders?
3. What shared mechanisms (e.g., inflammation, genetic predisposition, gut microbiome dysbiosis) underlie these associations?
Objectives:
1. Identify associations between specific GI disorders and autoimmune diseases using UK Biobank data.
2. Explore the directionality and potential causal relationships using Mendelian randomization.
3. Investigate mediating factors, such as systemic inflammation or genetic variants, to uncover underlying mechanisms.
Scientific Rationale:
The gut-immune axis plays a critical role in systemic health, and dysregulation in this axis may contribute to both GI and autoimmune conditions. Understanding these relationships could reveal shared pathways, inform early intervention strategies, and guide personalized treatment approaches, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with these chronic diseases.