Causal relationship between physical activity and scoliosis: A Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Genetics and Epidemiology

Background:

• Scoliosis, characterized by abnormal spinal curvature, affects adolescents, potentially causing chronic pain and decreased quality of life.
• The link between physical activity and scoliosis risk remains debated in scientific literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal relationship between different levels of physical activity and the risk of developing idiopathic scoliosis.
• To utilize the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach for robust causal inference.

Main Methods:

• Employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
• Examined low-intensity physical activity (LIPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and total physical activity (TLA) as exposure variables.
• Utilized genetic variants associated with physical activity levels as instrumental variables.

Main Results:

• Total physical activity (TLA) was significantly associated with an increased risk of idiopathic scoliosis (OR = 1.72; P = 0.015).
• No significant causal associations were found between LIPA, MVPA, and idiopathic scoliosis risk.
• Reverse MR analyses indicated that idiopathic scoliosis does not causally influence physical activity levels.

Conclusions:

• Total physical activity is identified as a potential risk factor for idiopathic scoliosis, necessitating further research into underlying mechanisms.
• Low-intensity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels are not causally linked to the development of idiopathic scoliosis.