[Mendelian randomization study on related factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett's esophagus]

Objective: To investigate the causal associations between 47 potential risk factors and the risks of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: Genome-wide association study summary statistics for 47 exposures, as well as for BE and EAC, were included. The causal associations were evaluated using the random-effects inverse variance weighted method. Horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO methods. The Benjamini-Hochberg method was applied for multiple testing correction. Results: The MR analysis showed that waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage, trunk fat mass, trunk fat percentage, whole-body fat mass, and never smoking were causally associated with the risk of BE (adjusted P<0.05). Body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage, trunk fat mass, trunk fat percentage, whole-body fat mass, basal metabolic rate, duration of regular smoking, educational attainment (college or above), and years of education were causally associated with the risk of EAC (adjusted P<0.05). Conclusions: Genetically predicted obesity-related traits and never smoking were causally associated with the risk of BE. Obesity-related traits, basal metabolic rate, duration of regular smoking, educational attainment (college or above), and years of education were causally associated with the risk of EAC.