Causal association between snoring and stroke: a Mendelian randomization study in a Chinese population

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between snoring and stroke.
• The causal relationship requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal effect of snoring on stroke using Mendelian randomization.
• To assess stroke risk associated with genetically predicted snoring.

Main Methods:

• Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis on 82,339 Chinese adults from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB).
• Utilized genetic variants from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of snoring in CKB and UK Biobank (UKB).
• Employed two-stage method, MR in non-obese individuals, and multivariable MR (MVMR) to control for BMI and potential pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• Genetically predicted snoring was associated with increased risk of total stroke, hemorrhagic stroke (HS), and ischemic stroke (IS).
• Hazard ratios (HRs) for total stroke were 1.56 (CKB GRS) and 1.78 (UKB GRS).
• Associations remained consistent across different analytical methods, including analyses controlling for BMI.

Conclusions:

• Genetically predicted snoring is a causal risk factor for stroke in Chinese adults.
• The identified causal effect of snoring on stroke is independent of body mass index (BMI).
• Findings support targeted interventions for snoring to mitigate stroke risk.