The Causal Relationship Between Dietary Factors and the Risk of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Mendelian Randomization...

Background: Some studies have shown that dietary factors can influence the occurrence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). This study aimed to investigate whether dietary factors and habits are associated with intracranial aneurysms using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: A two-sample MR study was conducted to evaluate the association of dietary factors with IAs. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, and horizontal pleiotropy was assessed through MR-Egger regression and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO). Results: Fresh fruit intake (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: [0.13, 0.59]) was related to a decreased risk of IAs. Lamb/mutton intake may be associated with IAs, although the meta-analysis results were not significant (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: [0.27, 7.67]). Furthermore, MR analyses based on two aneurysm databases showed that alcoholic intake was not associated with IAs (alcoholic drinks per week: OR: 1.057, 95% CI: [0.788, 1.42]; OR: 0.509, 95% CI: [0.1665, 1.56]; alcohol intake frequency: OR: 1.084, 95% CI: [0.909, 1.29]; OR: 1.307, 95% CI: [0.814, 2.1]). Our results showed no causal relationship between coffee intake and IAs (OR: 1.149, 95% CI: [0.575, 2.3]; OR: 0863, 95% CI: [0.2979, 2.5]). Other dietary intakes were also found to have no causal relationship with IAs. Conclusions: This study found that fresh fruit intake was associated with a reduced risk of IAs. Lamb/mutton intake may be associated with IAs. However, other dietary factors, including alcohol intake and coffee intake, were found not to be associated with IAs.