Estimating the causal effect of cardiometabolic conditions on socioeconomic and healthcare outcomes: a scoping review of Mendelian randomization studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cardiometabolic risk factors and conditions are the leading contributors to morbidity and mortality, yet quantifying their causal effects on socioeconomic outcomes using observational data is challenging due to endogeneity. Using genetic variants as instrumental variables, Mendelian randomization (MR) offers a unique approach to strengthen causal inference in this context and has also gained popularity in health economic literature.

Aims

This study aimed to: i) map the current landscape of MR studies evaluating the impact of cardiometabolic exposures on healthcare and socioeconomic outcomes; ii) describe how core MR assumptions were tested and reported; iii) summarize how additional assumptions underlying causal interpretation were discussed.

Methods

We sea

SUBMITTER: Pedron S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12930584 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature