Genetic evidence that higher central adiposity causes gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a Mendelian randomization study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is associated with multiple risk factors but determining causality is difficult. We used a genetic approach [Mendelian randomization (MR)] to identify potential causal modifiable risk factors for GORD.

Methods

We used data from 451 097 European participants in the UK Biobank and defined GORD using hospital-defined ICD10 and OPCS4 codes and self-report data (N = 41 024 GORD cases). We tested observational and MR-based associations between GORD and four adiposity measures [body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), a metabolically favourable higher body-fat percentage and waist circumference], smoking status, smoking frequency and caffeine consumption.

Results

Observationally, all adiposity measures were associated

SUBMITTER: Green HD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7750946 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature