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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 41604238 DOI: 10.1080/08869634.2026.2619521

Causal association between multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia: A Mendelian randomization study with meta-analysis.

Cranio

Authors: Esam Halboub, Aisha A Al-Jamaei, Abdulwahab Al-Amir, Walid A Al-Soneidar, Sadeq Ali Al-Maweri, Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi, Mohammed Nasser Alhajj

Affiliations

  • Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
  • Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontics, Diagnostics, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.
  • Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, Al-Razi University, Sana'a, Yemen.
  • Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • College of Dental Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.
  • Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This study utilized a meta-analysis of two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal link between multiple sclerosis (MS) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

METHODS

Using genetic summary data from the OpenGWAS database (European descent), researchers identified eight MS GWAS studies as exposures and one TN study as the outcome. Ten MR approaches, including IVW and MR-Egger, were employed. Pooled estimates were calculated using a fixed-effects inverse-variance model, with significance set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Seven of the eight MS exposures showed a positive causal association with TN. The meta-analysis confirmed that MS significantly increases TN risk by 11% (IVW: 95% CI = 1.05-1.16; P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses indicated no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity, ensuring robust findings.

CONCLUSION

Genetic predisposition to MS is a causal factor for TN. Further research is required to explore underlying biological pathways and validate these results across diverse populations.

MeSH

Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Research, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, Random Allocation, Neuralgia