Endocrine Connections (Jan 2023)
Modification of TSH-related genetic effects by indicators of socioeconomic position
Abstract
Objective: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is influenced by genetic and e nvironmental factors such as socioeconomic position (SEP). However, interactions between TSH-related genetic factors and indicators of SEP have not been investigated to date. The aim of the study was to determine whether education and income as SEP indicators may interact with TSH-related genetic effect allele sum scores (GES TSH_2013 and GESTSH_2020) based on two different GWAS meta-analyses that affect TSH values in a popu lation-based study. Methods: In 4085 participants of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study associations between SEP indicators, GESTSH and TSH were quantified using sex- and age-adjusted linear regr ession models. Interactions between SEP indicators and GESTSH were assessed by GESTSH × SEP interaction terms, single reference joint effects and calculatin g genetic effects stratified by SEP group. Results: Participants within the highest education group showed the strongest genetic effect with on average 1.109-fold (95% CI: 1.067–1.155) higher T SH values per GESTSH_2013 SD, while in the lowest education group, the genetic effect was less strong (1.061-fold (95% CI: 1.022–1.103)). In linear regression models including i nteraction terms, some weak indication for a positive GESTSH_2013 by education interaction was observed showing an interaction effect size estimate of 1.005 (95% CI: 1.000–1.01 0) per year of education and GESTSH_2013 SD. No indication for interaction was observed for using income as SEP indicator. Using the GESTSH_2020, similar results were observed. Conclusion: Our results gave some indication that education may affect the e xpression of TSH-related genetic effects. Stronger genetic effects in high- education groups may be explained by environmental factors that have an impact on gene expression and are more prevalent in high SEP groups.
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