Body mass index and healthcare costs: using genetic variants from the HUNT study as instrumental variables.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Past studies have found associations between obesity and healthcare costs, however, these studies have suffered from bias due to omitted variables, reverse causality, and measurement error.

Methods

We used genetic variants related to body mass index (BMI) as instruments for BMI; thereby exploiting the natural randomization of genetic variants that occurs at conception. We used data on measured height and weight, genetic information, and sociodemographic factors from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Studies (HUNT), and individual-level registry data on healthcare costs, educational level, registration status, and biological relatives. We studied associations between BMI and general practitioner (GP)-, specialist-, and total healthcare costs in the Norwegian setting using

SUBMITTER: Edwards CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8957125 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature