Dried fruit intake causally protects against low back pain: A Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Pain Research

Background:

• Low back pain is a primary global cause of disability.
• Investigating dietary factors for low back pain prevention is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if dried fruit consumption causally reduces the risk of low back pain.
• Utilizing two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) for causal inference.

Main Methods:

• Summary-level genetic data for dried fruit intake (N=421,764) and low back pain (discovery and replication cohorts) were analyzed.
• Univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed.
• Sensitivity analyses and pleiotropy assessments were conducted to ensure robustness.

Main Results:

• Greater dried fruit intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of low back pain (OR=0.435, P=8.657 × 10⁻⁵).
• Consistent results were observed across multiple sensitivity analyses and in replication data.
• The association remained significant after adjusting for various lifestyle and health factors in multivariable MR.

Conclusions:

• This Mendelian randomization study provides evidence supporting a causal protective effect of dried fruit intake against low back pain.
• Findings suggest dried fruit consumption as a potential dietary strategy for mitigating low back pain risk.