A Mendelian randomization analysis identifies causal association between sarcopenia and gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing with the advancement of world population aging, affecting the population health worldwide. Recently, there were several researches to suggest the association between GERD and sarcopenia, but evidence supporting the causal effect was absent. The purpose of this study is to determine the causal relationship between GERD and sarcopenia through a Mendelian randomization (MR) study. We conducted an MR analysis by using summary-level data of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in the European population. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analytical method for evaluating causality. In addition, four other MR methods were performed to supplement the IVW results. We also used the Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and the multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) to validate the robustness of our results. IVW analysis revealed a causally positive correlation between low hand grip strength (OR = 1.2358, 95% C.I.: 1.0521-1.4514, P = 0.0099), decreased walking pace (OR = 0.1181, 95% C.I.: 0.0838-0.1666, P = 4×10 -34 ), and decreased appendicular lean mass (ALM) (OR = 0.8612, 95% C.I.: 0.8263-0.8975, P = 1×10 -12 ) and GERD. MR-PRESSO and MVMR analysis confirmed the association evidence. In conclusion, this MR analysis supported the causal association between sarcopenia-related traits and GERD.

Exercise benefits meet the esophagus

“… 7 Additionally, there is recent evidence (also from a Mendelian randomization analysis) for a causal association between sarcopenia (i.e., an accelerated loss of muscle mass and function associated with aging) and GERD. 8 In turn, factors for GERD-related complications include advanced age, male sex, white race, abdominal obesity, as well as tobacco use. 9 There is substantial overlap between symptoms of GERD and those of eosinophilic esophagitis, functional dyspepsia, and gastroparesis, posing a challenge for patient management.…”