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Exploring the causality between educational attainment and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A Mendelian randomization
Gui Chen1, Junyang Xie1, Tianhao Liang1
1State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiangxi Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, PR China.
Summary
Higher educational attainment (EA) causally reduces gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) risk. Body mass index (BMI) is a key mediator in this protective relationship, highlighting potential public health strategies for GERD prevention.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Epidemiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a link between higher educational attainment (EA) and reduced risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- The causal nature of this association requires robust scientific validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between educational attainment (EA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using genetic data.
- To explore the mediating role of body mass index (BMI) in the EA-GERD pathway.
Main Methods:
- Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis utilizing publicly available genetic summary data for EA and GERD.
- Application of inverse variance weighted, weighted median, and weighted mode methods for causal estimation.
- Multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) to adjust for potential mediators like BMI.
Main Results:
- Higher EA demonstrated a significant inverse causal association with GERD risk (OR: 0.979).
- MVMR analysis confirmed EA's protective effect against GERD, even after accounting for BMI (OR: 0.981).
- BMI was also found to be significantly and negatively correlated with GERD risk (OR: 0.997).
Conclusions:
- Higher educational attainment (EA) exerts a protective effect against gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Body mass index (BMI) plays a significant mediating role in the causal pathway between EA and GERD.
- Findings suggest potential public health interventions targeting EA and BMI for GERD prevention.
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