Exploring the Causal Relationship Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Joint Pain: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Key Points

• The central aim is to determine whether specific inflammatory cytokines causally influence joint pain.
• Utilized Mendelian randomization to establish causal relationships.
• Identified key cytokines involved, including IL-18, CTACK, and IL-2RA.
• Employed genetic evidence to support findings.
• IL-18, CTACK, and IL-2RA were found to be potential causative factors for joint pain.
• Results support the hypothesis of genetic influence on inflammatory processes related to pain.
• Findings indicate pathways that may be targeted for developing personalized analgesic therapies.