No genetic causal relationship between smoking and acute respiratory distress syndrome: insights from Mendelian randomization and transcriptomics
- Author:
Yan Zhang
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Observational Study
- From: World Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;16(5):494-496
- CountryChina
- Language:English
- Abstract: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe clinical condition characterized by acute respiratory failure due to widespread pulmonary inflammation and edema. The incidence of ARDS among intensive care unit (ICU) patients is approximately 10%, with mortality rates ranging from 35% to 45% and exceeding 50% in severe cases.[1] Identifying and controlling risk factors for ARDS is critical for early prevention. Smoking remains a significant global public health issue, affecting one-third of adults and 40% of children through exposure to secondhand smoke.[2] In an animal study, cigarette smoke impaired lung endothelial barrier function through oxidative stress and exacerbated lipopolysaccharide-induced increases in vascular permeability in vivo. This finding is consistent with the pathological changes observed in ARDS.[3] Although many observational studies have suggested a potential link between smoking and ARDS, the causal relationship remains unclear. This study uses Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore whether smoking behavior causally influences ARDS and investigates the mechanisms by which smoking may contribute to ARDS development through transcriptomic analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.
