Obesity-related indicators and tuberculosis: A Mendelian randomization study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Obesity is a strong risk factor for many diseases, with controversy regarding the cause(s) of tuberculosis (TB) reflected by contradictory findings. Therefore, a larger sample population is required to determine the relationship between obesity and TB, which may further inform treatment. METHODS: Obesity-related indicators and TB mutation data were obtained from a genome-wide association study database, while representative instrumental variables (IVs) were obtained by screening and merging. Causal relationships between exposure factors and outcomes were determined using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Three tests were used to determine the representativeness and stability of the IVs, supported by sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Initially, 191 single nucleotide polymorphisms were designated as IVs by screening, followed by two-sample MR analysis, which revealed the causal relationship between waist circumference [odds ratio (OR) 2.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-3.80); p = 0.011] and TB. Sensitivity analysis verified the credibility of the IVs, none of which were heterogeneous or horizontally pleiotropic. CONCLUSION: The present study determined the causal effect between waist circumference and TB by two-sample MR analysis and found both to be likely to be potential risk factors.