Key result
Income polygenic index linked to reduced disease risk and shares ~92% genetic correlation with educational attainment.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to investigate the socio-economic health gradient by leveraging a genome-wide association study on income.
Observational (n=668,288)
Effect estimate: genetic correlation 0.92
A genome-wide association study identified 162 loci associated with income, and a derived polygenic index correlated with reduced risk for multiple cardiometabolic and general diseases, highlighting the genetic overlap between socioeconomic status and health.
Income polygenic indices link to lower disease risks; hypothesis-generating for socioeconomic-health overlap, with causal and clinical roles left open.
We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on income among individuals of European descent and leveraged the results to investigate the socio-economic health gradient ( N =668,288). We found 162 genomic loci associated with a common genetic factor underlying various income measures, all with small effect sizes. Our GWAS-derived polygenic index captures 1 - 4% of income variance, with only one-fourth attributed to direct genetic effects. A phenome-wide association study using this polygenic index showed reduced risks for a broad spectrum of diseases, including hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary atherosclerosis, depression, asthma, and back pain. The income factor showed a substantial genetic correlation (0.92, s.e . = .006) with educational attainment (EA). Accounting for EA’s genetic overlap with income revealed that the remaining genetic signal for higher income related to better mental health but reduced physical health benefits and increased participation in risky behaviours such as drinking and smoking.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kweon et al. (2024) conducted an observational in Socio-economic health gradient (n=668,288). GWAS-derived polygenic index for income was evaluated on Income variance and genetic correlation with educational attainment (genetic correlation 0.92). A GWAS-derived polygenic index for income captured 1-4% of income variance and showed reduced risks for various diseases, with a 0.92 genetic correlation with educational attainment.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: