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Adult height, coronary heart disease and stroke: a multi-locus Mendelian randomization meta-analysis
Eveline Nüesch1,2, Caroline Dale1, Tom M Palmer3,4
1Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
International Journal of Epidemiology
|May 17, 2015
Summary
Taller individuals have a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Increased height is linked to better lung function and lower levels of body mass index, cholesterol, and blood pressure, potentially explaining this protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Mendelian Randomization Studies
Background:
- Investigating the causal relationship between adult height and cardiovascular diseases.
- Utilizing Mendelian randomization meta-analysis to assess genetic predispositions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causal effect of completed growth (adult height) on coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular traits.
- To leverage genetic variants associated with height as instrumental variables.
Main Methods:
- Developed a height-based allele score using 69 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
- Conducted instrumental variable (IV) analysis across 21 studies with 60,028 participants.
- Supplemented CHD analysis with large-scale consortia data (GIANT, CARDIoGRAMplusC4D).
Main Results:
- A 6.5-cm increase in height was associated with a 10% reduction in CHD odds (OR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85-0.95).
- No significant association was found with stroke (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.79-1.19).
- Increased height correlated with lower BMI, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and systolic blood pressure, and higher lung function (FEV1, FVC).
Conclusions:
- Taller stature is causally linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease.
- Potential mediating factors include improved lung function and favorable cardiovascular risk profiles (lower BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure).
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