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Autoimmune thyroid diseases, celiac disease and gluten-free diet: a Mendelian randomisation study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2025

Yue-Heng Pu Open the ORCID record for Yue-Heng Pu [Opens in a new window] ,
Cai-Yi Long ,
Ren-Song Yue ,
Bo-Xun Zhang ,
Ya-Yi Jiang  and
Zi-Han Li
Yue-Heng Pu
Affiliation:
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
Cai-Yi Long
Affiliation:
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
Ren-Song Yue*
Affiliation:
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
Bo-Xun Zhang
Affiliation:
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
Ya-Yi Jiang
Affiliation:
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
Zi-Han Li
Affiliation:
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
*
Corresponding author: Ren-Song Yue; Email: songrenyue@cdutcm.edu.cn
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Abstract

Previous studies have reported co-morbidities of autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD), including Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease and celiac disease (CeD), as well as the possible beneficial effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on AITD. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether there is a genetic causal relationship between AITD and CeD, while the beneficial effects of a GFD are controversial. This study aims to explore the causal relationship between CeD and AITD, particularly with Hashimoto’s disease, and to determine whether a GFD is beneficial for AITD. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis on data from the largest meta-analysis summary statistics of AITD, CeD and GFD. Genetic instrumental variables were established by pinpointing SNP that relate to corresponding factors. In assessing sensitivity and heterogeneity, we conducted examinations of MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode and MR Egger intercept tests. Hashimoto’s disease was found to play a pathogenic role in increasing the risk of CeD (ORIVW = 1·544 (95 % CI 1·153, 2·068), P = 0·00355), and our Mendelian randomisation study does not support genetic liability related to CeD with Graves’ disease and GFD with AITD. This study supports the positive correlation between Hashimoto’s disease risk and CeD risk, while GFD has no protective effect on AITD and may exert its effect through other mechanisms. These findings provide valuable insights into potential targets for disease intervention and treatment at the genetic level.

Keywords

Autoimmune thyroid diseaseCeliac diseaseGluten-free dietHashimoto’s diseaseGraves’ diseaseMendelian randomisation

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Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , First View , pp. 1 - 9
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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