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Causal association between basal metabolic rate and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a univariable and multivariable

Yihua Li1, Huiqi Zhai1, Liang Kang1

  • 1The First Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Scientific Reports
|August 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) causally increases the risk of aortic aneurysm and atrial fibrillation but decreases myocardial infarction risk. This Mendelian randomization study clarifies BMR

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Metabolic Health and Disease
  • Biomarkers and Disease Risk Assessment

Background:

  • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is linked to cardiovascular health, but its direct causal impact on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is not well-established.
  • Understanding the causal relationship between BMR and specific CVDs is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
  • Previous observational studies suggest associations, but confounding factors limit causal inference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential causal relationship between genetically predicted basal metabolic rate (BMR) and the risk of common cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
  • To examine the causal effects of BMR on aortic aneurysm (AA), atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF), calcific aortic valvular stenosis (CAVS), heart failure (HF), and myocardial infarction (MI).
  • To differentiate direct BMR effects from those mediated by common cardiovascular risk factors using multivariable Mendelian randomization.

Main Methods:

  • Employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, a robust method for inferring causality from genetic variants.
  • Utilized the inverse variance weighted (IVW) model as the primary univariable MR method for effect estimation.
  • Conducted multivariable MR analysis to adjust for potential confounding factors, including common cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Genetically predicted higher BMR was causally associated with increased risk of AA, AFF, and HF.
  • Higher BMR was causally associated with a decreased risk of MI.
  • Multivariable MR confirmed direct causal effects of BMR on increased risk of AA and AFF, decreased risk of MI, and an attenuated effect on HF.

Conclusions:

  • This Mendelian randomization study provides significant evidence for a causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and the risk of aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
  • The findings highlight BMR as a potential causal factor in the development of specific cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research may explore therapeutic targets related to BMR modulation for cardiovascular disease prevention.

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