Effect of education on endometriosis and mediating effects: a mendelian randomization study

Ling Jin, Luhongyuan Jin, Chi Chi, Qin Zhang, Yueming Zhang, Guorong Han, Guoqing Han, Jun Lin, Wenjie Hou
AJOG global reports · 2025 · vol. 5(3) , pp. 100559 · doi:10.1016/j.xagr.2025.100559 · PMID:40927383 · W4413243298
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This Mendelian randomization study found that each standard deviation increase in years of education was associated with a protective effect against endometriosis, with depression mediating a significant portion of this association.

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Abstract

Objectives: To assess the potential impact of years of education, which serves as a measure of socioeconomic inequality, on the occurrence of endometriosis, and to quantify the potential influence of modifiable factors as mediators. Methods: The study used SNPs as genetic tools for genetic association. Analysis using 2-sample univariate and multivariate Mendelian randomization methods. Primary analyses were performed using an inverse variance weighted MR method. Data were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from European populations. Data for ending endometriosis were obtained from the Neale lab. Results: Each SD increase in years of education (4.2 years) has a protective effect on endometriosis (OR 0.9975; 95% CI 0.9958-0.9951). For individuals, the most significant contribution is the depression factor (mediation effect 53%, 95% CI: 3-102%). After combining, the mediator variable explains 64% (95% CI: 55%-290%) of the education-endometriosis association. Summary: Higher education attainment potentially has a causal protective effect on endometriosis, while lower education levels may increase the risk of endometriosis through modifiable factors such as depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

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endometriosis

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