Novel Insights Into the Causal Association Between Dietary Factors and Risk of Urinary Calculus: A Multivariate and...

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Urology

Background:

• Observational studies suggest dietary habits are linked to urinary calculus (UC).
• The causal relationship between diet and UC remains unclear.
• Genetic association data provides a powerful tool to explore causality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the causal effects of various dietary factors on urinary calculus using Mendelian randomization.
• To identify independent dietary influences on UC through multivariable MR.
• To explore potential mediation pathways by common biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed using genome-wide association data.
• Multivariable MR (MVMR) was used to determine independent dietary effects.
• Two-step MR analysis investigated mediation by 30 common biomarkers.

Main Results:

• Genetically predicted intake of alcohol, coffee, tea, fruits, and preference for white wine were inversely associated with kidney and ureter calculus.
• Preferences for certain fruits and coffee with sugar were linked to lower urinary tract stones.
• MVMR confirmed independent protective effects of coffee, psychoactive drinks, and fruits on kidney/ureter calculus, and fruit preferences on lower urinary tract stones.
• Calcium partially mediated the effects of fruit and dried fruit intake on UC.

Conclusions:

• This study provides robust genetic evidence for the protective roles of specific dietary factors in urinary calculus development.
• Findings highlight coffee, tea, and fruit consumption as potentially protective against UC.
• Calcium emerges as a potential mediator in the dietary influence on UC, offering new avenues for prevention strategies.