Is the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis related to the fracture site? A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Objective: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a known complication of fractures. This study aimed to explore the genetic causal relationship between DVT and fracture sites. Research design and methods: The exposures analyzed in this study included fracture of femur (FFE), fracture of lower leg, including ankle (FLLA), fracture of shoulder and upper arm (FSUA), fracture of forearm (FFO), fracture of rib, sternum and thoracic spine (FRSTS) and fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis (FLSP). DVT as the outcome. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was employed to investigate the genetic causal relationship, and a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results: The findings indicated no genetic causal relationship between FFE (p = 0.569, OR 95% CI = 1.001 [0.998–1.003]), FLLA (p = 0.371, OR 95% CI = 0.999 [0.995–1.002]), FSUA (p = 0.871, OR 95% CI = 1.000 [0.998–1.002]), FFO (p = 0.281, OR 95% CI = 1.001 [0.999–1.002]), FRSTS (p = 0.346, OR 95% CI = 0.999 [0.996–1.001]) or FLSP (p = 0.759, OR 95% CI = 1.000 [0.999–1.002]) and DVT. Sensitivity analyses reinforced the robustness. Conclusions: This study indicate that no genetic causal relationship exists between DVT and fracture site, the observed association may be attributable to non-genetic factors.