Habitual Coffee Consumption Increases Risk of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
• Understanding modifiable risk factors for POAG is crucial for public health.
• The relationship between coffee consumption and POAG risk remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
• To leverage genetic data to explore this association, minimizing confounding factors.

Main Methods:

• A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study design was employed.
• Genetic variants associated with coffee consumption were identified from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
• Summary-level data for POAG cases and controls were obtained from comprehensive meta-analyses.

Main Results:

• Genetically predicted higher coffee consumption (cups/day) showed a significant association with an increased risk of POAG (OR=1.241, P=0.016).
• Another phenotype of coffee consumption (high vs. no/low) also indicated a higher POAG risk (OR=1.155, P=0.008).
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings, indicating a likely causal link.

Conclusions:

• This study provides genetic evidence supporting a causal association between higher coffee consumption and an elevated risk of POAG.
• The findings offer valuable insights for developing preventative and management strategies for POAG, considering the widespread consumption of coffee.