Causal relationships between plasma lipids and sepsis: A Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Disease Research

Background:

• Observational studies suggest plasma lipid levels correlate with sepsis risk.
• Confounding factors and reverse causality obscure the true relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the causal effect of plasma lipid levels on sepsis risk.
• Utilizing a robust Mendelian randomization approach to address confounding.

Main Methods:

• Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
• Employed inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median regression.
• Assessed heterogeneity with Cochran's Q test and pleiotropy with MR-Egger.
• Validated results using leave-one-out sensitivity analysis.

Main Results:

• Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a potential increased risk of sepsis with higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
• Triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) showed potential protective effects.
• However, no statistically significant causal relationships were definitively established for LDL-C, HDL-C, or TG with sepsis.

Conclusions:

• While observational data suggest links, this MR study found no significant causal relationship between common plasma lipids (LDL-C, HDL-C, TG) and sepsis.
• Further research may be needed to clarify the complex interplay between lipids and sepsis risk.