Smoking, Coffee Consumption, Alcohol Intake, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Sleep Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to lifestyle factors like smoking and coffee consumption.
• Previous studies suggest associations, but causal relationships require robust investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal effect of smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee intake on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• To utilize Mendelian Randomization (MR) to establish potential causal links between these behaviors and OSA incidence.

Main Methods:

• Employed a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) design using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data.
• Utilized Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW) as the primary analysis method, with sensitivity analyses using alternative MR techniques.
• Performed multivariable MR (MVMR) to adjust for covariates including BMI, hypertension, and diabetes.

Main Results:

• Univariable MR indicated smoking initiation and coffee intake are associated with increased OSA risk.
• Never smoking showed a protective association against OSA.
• Multivariable MR adjusting for diabetes and hypertension supported a causal link for never smoking, but not coffee consumption; adjustments for BMI negated observed causal relationships.

Conclusions:

• Genetically predicted smoking and higher coffee intake demonstrate a causal association with increased obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering smoking and coffee consumption in OSA etiology and management.