Original Article
Causal association between obesity and bronchial asthma: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Liu Bin, Liang Yanchao, Liu Shuangbo, Chen Fangwei, Luo Xiping, Zhou Juan, Xu Tengjuan, Xie Bo, Huang Peng
Published 2023-12-25
Cite as Int J Respir, 2023, 43(12): 1421-1427. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn131368-20230815-00099
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the causal relationship between obesity and bronchial asthma (asthma), so as to provide insights for the prevention and treatment of asthma.
MethodsThis study was a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.The data on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were collected from two Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on body mass index (BMI) and asthma.Four regression models including the inverse variance weighted random effects model (IVW-RE), MR-Egger regression, weighted median model, and weighted mode were performed for analysis.Forward Mendelian randomization (MR) was conducted using 370 BMI-related SNPs as instrumental variables and asthma as the study outcome.Reverse MR was performed with 56 asthma-related SNPs as instrumental variables and BMI as the study outcome.
ResultsResults from IVW-RE demonstrated a significant causal association between BMI and asthma, with a 1 standard deviation increase in BMI resulting in a 1.26 times higher risk of asthma (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.19-1.33, P<0.001). This finding was consistent with results from MR-Egger regression (OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.01-1.36, P=0.035), weighted median (OR=1.20, 95%CI: 1.11-1.29, P<0.001), and weighted mode (OR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.03-1.29, P=0.015). However, the IVW-RE results did not show any evidence of asthma affecting BMI (OR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.98-1.00, P=0.193).
ConclusionsMR analysis shows that there is a causal relationship between adult BMI and the prevalence of asthma.However, the effect of asthma on adult BMI is less probable.
Key words:
Asthma; Body mass index; Mendelian randomization; Genome wide association studies
Contributor Information
Liu Bin
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Liang Yanchao
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Liu Shuangbo
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Chen Fangwei
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Luo Xiping
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Zhou Juan
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Xu Tengjuan
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Xie Bo
Quality Control Office of the Medical Affairs Department, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Huang Peng
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, China
