Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundSpinal diseases and their associated symptoms are prevalent across all age groups, and their incidence severely affects countless individuals’ quality of life. The role of daily habits in the progression of these diseases is increasingly emphasized in research. Moreover, there are reports...

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Main Authors: Yi-Qi Chen, Zhen-Ya Chen, Zheng-Qi Song, Hai-Bo Liang, Yi-Jun Li, Hong Su, Hai-Ming Jin, Xue-Qin Bai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1437484/full
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author Yi-Qi Chen
Yi-Qi Chen
Zhen-Ya Chen
Zhen-Ya Chen
Zheng-Qi Song
Zheng-Qi Song
Hai-Bo Liang
Hai-Bo Liang
Yi-Jun Li
Yi-Jun Li
Hong Su
Hong Su
Hai-Ming Jin
Hai-Ming Jin
Xue-Qin Bai
Xue-Qin Bai
author_facet Yi-Qi Chen
Yi-Qi Chen
Zhen-Ya Chen
Zhen-Ya Chen
Zheng-Qi Song
Zheng-Qi Song
Hai-Bo Liang
Hai-Bo Liang
Yi-Jun Li
Yi-Jun Li
Hong Su
Hong Su
Hai-Ming Jin
Hai-Ming Jin
Xue-Qin Bai
Xue-Qin Bai
author_sort Yi-Qi Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundSpinal diseases and their associated symptoms are prevalent across all age groups, and their incidence severely affects countless individuals’ quality of life. The role of daily habits in the progression of these diseases is increasingly emphasized in research. Moreover, there are reports suggesting associations between dietary factors and the onset of spinal diseases. However, the exact causal relationship between dietary factors and spinal diseases has not been fully elucidated.MethodsWe obtained GWAS data on 16 dietary intake and 187 dietary likings from the UK Biobank, and GWAS data on 23 types of spinal disorders from FinnGen R10. The analysis of causal effects was conducted using the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) test, and to ensure robustness, MR-Egger, Weighted median, and Bayesian weighted Mendelian randomization (BWMR) were utilized to validate the direction. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the Cochran Q test and MR-Egger intercept test. Additionally, Multivariable MR (MVMR) was employed to examine the independent effect of alcohol intake frequency.ResultsIn summary, our study identified statistically significant causal associations between four dietary intake and 10 dietary linkings with various spinal disorders through univariable MR, with degenerative spinal changes showing the most significant dietary influence. Alcohol intake was identified as the primary risk factor, with other risk factors including poultry intake and likings for various types of meat. Protective factors mainly included intake and liking of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, various supplementary analytical methods along with heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests have confirmed the robustness of our results. To avoid the interference of diet-related diseases, multivariable MR analysis was conducted, showing that the incidence of cervical disc disorders may be influenced by gout, diabetes, and hypertension.ConclusionThis study indicates a potential causal relationship between dietary factors and the risk of spinal disorders, providing insights for the early detection and prevention. However, the specific pathogenic mechanisms require detailed basic and clinical research in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-d0c3d65f012b465b803cffaf2e5427a72025-08-20T02:57:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-03-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14374841437484Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization studyYi-Qi Chen0Yi-Qi Chen1Zhen-Ya Chen2Zhen-Ya Chen3Zheng-Qi Song4Zheng-Qi Song5Hai-Bo Liang6Hai-Bo Liang7Yi-Jun Li8Yi-Jun Li9Hong Su10Hong Su11Hai-Ming Jin12Hai-Ming Jin13Xue-Qin Bai14Xue-Qin Bai15Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaThe Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaThe Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaThe Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, ChinaThe First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaBackgroundSpinal diseases and their associated symptoms are prevalent across all age groups, and their incidence severely affects countless individuals’ quality of life. The role of daily habits in the progression of these diseases is increasingly emphasized in research. Moreover, there are reports suggesting associations between dietary factors and the onset of spinal diseases. However, the exact causal relationship between dietary factors and spinal diseases has not been fully elucidated.MethodsWe obtained GWAS data on 16 dietary intake and 187 dietary likings from the UK Biobank, and GWAS data on 23 types of spinal disorders from FinnGen R10. The analysis of causal effects was conducted using the Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) test, and to ensure robustness, MR-Egger, Weighted median, and Bayesian weighted Mendelian randomization (BWMR) were utilized to validate the direction. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the Cochran Q test and MR-Egger intercept test. Additionally, Multivariable MR (MVMR) was employed to examine the independent effect of alcohol intake frequency.ResultsIn summary, our study identified statistically significant causal associations between four dietary intake and 10 dietary linkings with various spinal disorders through univariable MR, with degenerative spinal changes showing the most significant dietary influence. Alcohol intake was identified as the primary risk factor, with other risk factors including poultry intake and likings for various types of meat. Protective factors mainly included intake and liking of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, various supplementary analytical methods along with heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests have confirmed the robustness of our results. To avoid the interference of diet-related diseases, multivariable MR analysis was conducted, showing that the incidence of cervical disc disorders may be influenced by gout, diabetes, and hypertension.ConclusionThis study indicates a potential causal relationship between dietary factors and the risk of spinal disorders, providing insights for the early detection and prevention. However, the specific pathogenic mechanisms require detailed basic and clinical research in the future.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1437484/fullspinal diseasesdegenerative spinal diseasesfood likingfood intakeMendelian randomization
spellingShingle Yi-Qi Chen
Yi-Qi Chen
Zhen-Ya Chen
Zhen-Ya Chen
Zheng-Qi Song
Zheng-Qi Song
Hai-Bo Liang
Hai-Bo Liang
Yi-Jun Li
Yi-Jun Li
Hong Su
Hong Su
Hai-Ming Jin
Hai-Ming Jin
Xue-Qin Bai
Xue-Qin Bai
Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Frontiers in Nutrition
spinal diseases
degenerative spinal diseases
food liking
food intake
Mendelian randomization
title Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
title_full Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
title_fullStr Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
title_full_unstemmed Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
title_short Causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
title_sort causal relationships between dietary factors and spinal diseases a univariable and multivariable mendelian randomization study
topic spinal diseases
degenerative spinal diseases
food liking
food intake
Mendelian randomization
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1437484/full
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