OBJECTIVE We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine the associations of type 2 diabetes and glycemic traits with gastrointestinal diseases (GDs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Uncorrelated genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes (n = 231), fasting insulin (n = 38), fasting glucose (n = 71), and hemoglobin A1c (n = 75) at the genome-wide significance were selected as instrument variables. Genetic associations with 23 common GDs were obtained from the FinnGen and UK Biobank studies and other large consortia. RESULTS Genetic liability to type 2 diabetes was associated with the risk of 12 GDs. Per 1-unit increase in the log-transformed odds ratio (OR) of type 2 diabetes, the OR was 1.06 (95% CI, 1.03–1.09) for gastroesophageal reflux disease, 1.12 (95% CI, 1.07–1.17) for gastric ulcer, 1.11 (95% CI, 1.03–1.20) for acute gastritis, 1.07 (95% CI, 1.01–1.13) for chronic gastritis, 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03–1.12) for irritable bowel syndrome, 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01–1.07) for diverticular disease, 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02–1.14) for acute pancreatitis, 1.09 (95% CI, 1.05–1.12) for cholelithiasis, 1.09 (95% CI, 1.05–1.13) for cholelithiasis with cholecystitis, 1.29 (95% CI, 1.17–1.43) for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 1.12 (95% CI, 1.03–1.21) for liver cirrhosis, and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89–0.97) for ulcerative colitis. Genetically predicted higher levels of fasting insulin and glucose were associated with six and one GDs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Associations were found between genetic liability to type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of a broad range of GDs, highlighting the importance of GD prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes.

No abstract

Background and Aims Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been linked to globally increasing incidence and prevalence in chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We aimed to investigate the association between UPF consumption and IBD incidence, prevalence, and IBD-relevant outcomes. Methods We performed a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study in 187,854 individuals included in the national UK Biobank using 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to examine the association between UPFs and the prevalent, and incidence risk of IBD, respectively. Results 185,849 participants with a mean age of 56.2 were included with a mean follow-up of 9.84 years. During follow-up, 841 developed IBD (251 Crohn’s disease (CD), and 590 ulcerative colitis (UC)). UPF intake in IBD patients was significantly higher (CD: OR 1.94 (95%CI: 1.52 - 2.49, p<0.001); UC: OR 1.39 (95%CI: 1.17 - 1.65, p<0.001)). Compared to low consumption, higher UPF consumption was significantly associated with incident CD (HR 2.00 (95%CI: 1.32 - 3.03, p=0.001), but not UC. We also found a significant association between UPF intake and need of IBD-related surgery (HR 4.06 (95%CI: 1.52 - 10.86, p= 0.005)). Conclusion Higher intake of UPFs was associated with higher incidence of CD, but not UC. In individuals with a pre-existing diagnosis of IBD, consumption of UPFs was significantly higher compared to controls, and was associated with an increased need for IBD-related surgery. Further studies are needed to address the impact of UPF intake on disease pathogenesis, and outcomes.