Table 2 Mendelian randomization studies in the bone field

From: Twelve years of GWAS discoveries for osteoporosis and related traits: advances, challenges and applications

Studies

Exposure

Outcome

IVs

Sample size; ethnicity

MR method

Unit

P value

Estimate (95% CI)

Interpretation

Timpson NJ

(2009)94

Obesity

(fat mass)

BMC

2 SNPs (fat mass)

Obesity (8 480)

BMC (7 470), children; European

IV regression with 2SLS

1 g change in BMC per 1 kg change in fat mass

0.000 2

TB-BMC, 0.02 (−0.20, 0.15)

Fat mass is in the causal pathway for bone mass in children.

0.03

UL-BMC, 0.46 (0.31, 0.61)

0.002

LL-BMC, 0.55 (0.41, 0.68)

2.30E-06

LS-BMC, 0.48 (0.33, 0.63)

Warodomwichit D (2013)96

Obesity

BMD

1 SNP

Obesity (2 154)

BMD (2 154), adults; Thai

IV regression with 2SLS

1 g.cm−2 change in BMD per 1 kg.m−2 change in BMI

0.01

TH-BMD, 0.02 (0.00, 0.03)

Obesity might be causally related to BMD at the femur but not at the spine.

0.014

FN-BMD, 0.01 (0.00, 0.03)

NS

LS-BMD, 0.00 (−0.01, 0.01)

Oeil L

(2014)176

Inflammation

Fracture

29 SNPs (CRP)

Inflammation (6 386)

Fracture (1 561), adults; American

Weighted genetic risk score

OR for fracture per 1 SD increase in CRP

0.23

Fracture, 1.00 (0.99, 1.00)

No causal association between CRP level and fracture.

Leong A

(2014)84

Serum DBP levels

BMD

1 SNP

Serum DBP levels (2 254)

BMD (2 254), adults; Canadian

IV regression with 2SLS

1 g.cm−2 change in BMD per 1 SD change in DBP

0.43

FN-BMD, −0.005 (−0.02, 0.01)

No causal association between DBP level and BMD.

Dalbeth N

(2015)98

Urate

BMD

5 SNPs

Urate (2 501)

BMD (2 501), adults; European

IV regression with 2SLS

1 g.cm−2 change in BMD per 1 mmol.L−1 change in urea levels

0.06

TF-BMD, −0.29 (−0.60, 0.01)

No causal association between urate and BMD.

0.08

FN-BMD, −0.27 (−0.58, 0.03)

0.68

LS-BMD, 0.08 (−0.32, 0.48)

Xiong A (2016)78

Urate

BMD

18 SNPs

Urate (1 322)

BMD (1 322), adults; Chinese

IV regression with 2SLS

1 g.cm−2 change in BMD per 1 mmol.L−1 change in urea levels

0.5

TH-BMD, 0.19 (−0.36, 0.74)

No causal association between urate and BMD.

0.53

FN-BMD, −0.19 (−0.42, 0.81)

0.26

LS-BMD, 0.39 (−0.26, 0.98)

Kemp JP

(2016)95

Obesity

BMD

32 SNPs (BMI)

Obesity (5 221)

BMD (5 221), children; European

MR Egger; Multivariable MR

SD change in BMD per SD increase in BMI

0.78

SK-BMD, −0.02 (−0.20, 0.15)

Obesity is causally related to increase in BMD at all sites except the skull.

<0.001

UL-BMD, 0.46 (0.31, 0.61)

<0.001

LL-BMD, 0.55 (0.41, 0.68)

<0.001

LS-BMD, 0.48 (0.33, 0.63)

<0.001

PE-BMD, 0.39 (0.34, 0.64)

Li SS

(2016)85

Vitamin D level

BMD

4 SNPs

Vitamin D level (1 824)

BMD (1 824), postmenopausal women; Chinese

IV regression with 2SLS

1 g.cm−2 change in BMD per 1 log ng.mL−1 change in total 25OHD

0.326

TH-BMD, −0.04 (−0.13, 0.04)

No causal association between vitamin D and BMD.

0.261

FN-BMD, −0.04 (−0.13, 0.03)

0.384

LS-BMD, 0.05 (−0.16, 0.06)

Ahmad OS

(2017)89

T2D

BMD

32 SNPs

T2D (149 821)

BMD (32 961), adults; European

IVW approach

SD change in BMD per odds in log-odds of T2D

0.044

FN-BMD, 0.034 (0.001, 0.067)

Genetically increased T2D risk and genetically increased fasting glucose have weak positive effects on FN-BMD.

0.148

LS-BMD, 0.026 (−0.01, 0.061)

Fasting glucose (FG)

BMD

30 SNPs

FG (133 010)

BMD (32 961), adults; European

IVW approach

SD change in BMD per 1 mmol.L−1 increase in GF

0.034

FN-BMD, 0.13 (0.01, 0.25)

0.211

LS-BMD, 0.082 (−0.045, 0.21)

2-h glucose

BMD

6 SNPs

2hGlu (133 010)

BMD (32 961), adults; European

IVW approach

SD change in BMD per 1 mmol.L−1 increase in 2hGlu

0.134

FN-BMD, 0.089 (−0.027, 0.20)

0.354

LS-BMD, 0.06 (−0.06, 0.18)

Yang Q (2017)87

Milk consumption

BMD

1 SNP (lactose intolerance)

Milk consumption (32 961)

BMD (32 961), adults; European

IVW approach

1 SD change in BMD per 1 SD change of milk consumption

NA

FA-BMD, 0.049 (−0.128, 0.226)

No causal association between adult milk intake and BMD.

NA

FN-BMD, −0.015 (−0.089, 0.059)

NA

LS-BMD, 0.015 (−0.073, 0.104)

Huang JV

(2017)177

Inflammation

BMD

16 SNPs (CRP)

BMD (32 961);

European

MR-Egger IVW approach

1 g.cm−2 change in BMD per 1 log mg.L−1 change in total hsCRP

0.506

FA-BMD, 0.054 (NA)

No causal association between hsCRP and BMD

0.726

FN-BMD, −0.014 (NA)

0.184

LS-BMD, −0.074 (NA)

Cousminer DL (2018)97

Later puberty

BMD

331 SNPs

733 girls; European

Two-sample MR

1 SD change in BMD per 1 year later onset of puberty

0.004 6

LS-BMD −0.179

A causal association between later puberty and LS-BMD.

Age at voice break

BMD

43 SNPs

685 boys; European

Two-sample MR

1 SD change in BMD per 1 year earlier onset of age at voice break

0.000 3; 7.04E-05

LS-BMD −0.119; FN-BMD: −0.113

A causal association between later puberty and LS/FN-BMD.

Larsson SC

(2018)86

Estradiol

BMD

1 SNP

Estradiol (2 767)

eBMD (32 965), adults; European

IVW approach

1 SD change in BMD and g.cm−2 in eBMD per 10% increase in estradiol

4.60E-06

FN-BMD, 0.038 (NA)

A causal association between serum estradiol levels and increase BMD.

0.001

LS-BMD, 0.031 (NA)

6.00E-18

eBMD, 0.030 (NA)

Vitamin D level

BMD

5 SNPs

Vitamin D (42 274)

BMD (32 961) eBMD (142 487), adults; European

IVW approach

1 SD change in BMD per 1 SD change in 25OHD (g.cm−2 eBMD)

0.37

FN-BMD, 0.02 (−0.03, 0.07)

No causal association between vitamin D and BMD.

0.49

LS-BMD, 0.02 (−0.04, 0.08)

0.02

eBMD, -0.03 (−0.05, −0.01)

van Vliet NA (2018)99

TSH

BMD

20 SNPs

TSH (26 420)

BMD (32 735), adults; European (mostly)

Two sample MR IVW approach

SD change in BMD per 1 SD decrease in serum TSH level

0.92

FN-BMD: 0.003 (−0.053, 0.048)

No causal association between serum TSH levels and BMD.

0.73

LS-BMD: 0.010 (−0.069, 0.049)

Guo R

(2018)100

Smoking status

BMD

139-142 SNPs

Smoking status (32 735)

BMD (445 921), adults; European (mostly)

Two-sample MR IVW approach

NA

0.053

FN-BMD: −0.139 (NA)

A causal association between smoking and decreased heel BMD.

0.976

LS-BMD: −0.003 (NA)

0.077

FA-BMD: −0.264 (NA)

0.003

Heel BMD: −0.053 (NA)

Alcohol consumption

BMD

5–6 SNPs

Alcohol consumption (32 735)

BMD (445 921), adults; European (mostly)

Two-sample MR IVW approach

NA

0.964

FN-BMD: −0.008 (NA)

No causal association between alcohol consumption and BMD.

0.742

LS-BMD: 0.067 (NA)

0.593

FA-BMD: 0.194 (NA)

0.822

Heel BMD: 0.010 (NA)

Trajanoska K (2018)36

T2D

Fracture

38 SNPs

T2D: 56 862 (12 171 cases) Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR; MR-Egger

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of T2D susceptibility

0.37

Fracture: 0.99 (0.99, 1.01)

No causal association between T2D and fracture risk.

T1D

Fracture

19 SNPs

T1D: 26 890 (9 934 cases) Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls

Two sample MR; MR-Egger

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of T1D susceptibility

0.57

Fracture: 1.00 (1.00, 1.01)

No causal association between T1D and fracture risk.

Fasting glucose

Fracture

35 SNPs

Fasting glucose (58 074)

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls

Two sample MR; MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD increase in fasting glucose level

0.24

Fracture: 1.04 (0.97, 1.12)

No causal association of fasting glucose levels with fracture risk.

CAD

Fracture

38 SNPs

CAD: 107 432 (41 513 cases) Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls

Two sample MR; MR-Egger

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of CAD susceptibility

0.76

Fracture: 1.00 (0.99, 1.02)

No causal association between CAD and fracture risk.

Rheumatoid disease

Fracture

30 SNPs

Rheumatoid disease: 58 284 (14 361 cases)

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR; MR-Egger

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of rheumatoid disease susceptibility

0.14

Fracture: 1.01 (1.10, 1.02)

No causal association between rheumatoid disease and fracture risk.

Vitamin D

Fracture

4 SNPs

Vitamin D: 33 996

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls;

mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD decrease in 25OHD

0.07

Fracture: 0.84 (0.70, 1.02)

No causal association of decreased 25OHD levels with increased fracture risk.

Dairy calcium intake

Fracture

1 SNP (lactose intolerance)

Dairy calcium intake: 171 213 Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD increase in milk consumption

0.94

Fracture: 1.01 (0.80, 1.23)

No causal association between milk consumption and fracture risk.

FN-BMD

Fracture

43 SNPs

FN-BMD: 32 961

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD decrease in FN-BMD

<0.001

Fracture: 1.55 (1.48, 1.63)

A causal association between decreased FN-BMD and increased fracture risk.

LS-BMD

Fracture

40 SNPs

LS-BMD: 31 800

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD decrease in LS-BMD

<0.001

Fracture: 1.43 (1.37, 1.50)

A causal association between decreased LS-BMD and increased fracture risk.

Homocysteine

Fracture

13 SNPs

Homocysteine: 44 147

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD increase in homocysteine level

0.78

Fracture: 0.98 (0.92, 1.05)

No causal association between homocysteine level and fracture risk.

Inflammatory bowel disease

(IBD)

Fracture

151 SNPs

IBD: 34 652 (12 882 cases)

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility

0.92

Fracture: 1.00 (1.10, 1.01)

No causal association between inflammatory bowel disease and fracture risk.

TSH

Fracture

20 SNPs

TSH: 26 523

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD decrease in serum TSH level

0.78

Fracture: 0.99 (0.94, 1.04)

No causal association between serum TSH levels and fracture risk.

Grip strength

Fracture

15 SNPs

Grip strength: 142 035

Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD increase in grip strength

0.01

Fracture: 2.14 (1.13, 4.04)

A causal association between decreased grip strength and fracture risk.

Age of puberty

Fracture

54 SNPs

Age of puberty: 182 416 Fracture: 185 057 cases, 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD change, i.e., 3.9 years earlier menopause

0.05

Fracture: 1.10 (1.00, 1.21)

No causal association between earlier menopause and fracture risk.

Age at menopause

Fracture

106 SNPs

Age at menopause: 69 360

Fracture: 185 057 cases; 377 201 controls; mostly European

Two sample MR MR-Egger

OR of fracture per 1 SD change, i.e., 1.4 years late puberty

0.04

Fracture: 1.06 (1.00, 1.13)

A causal association between late puberty and increased fracture risk.

Cerani A

(2019)101

Serum calcium

BMD

1 SNP

Serum calcium: 61 079

BMD: 426 824;

mostly European

IVW approach

1 SD change in BMD per 1 SD change in serum calcium concentration

0.85

heel BMD, 0.003 (−0.059–0.066)

No causal association between serum calcium consumption and heel BMD.

Serum calcium

Fracture

1 SNP

Serum calcium: 61 079

Fracture: 76 549 cases, 470 164 controls; mostly European

IVW approach

OR of fracture per 1 SD increase in serum calcium concentration

0.85

Fracture, 1.01 (0.89–1.15)

No causal association between serum calcium consumption and fracture risk.

Xia (2020)88

Psoriasis

eBMD

60 SNPs

301 667, European

One-sample MR

SD change in BMD per odds in log-odds of psoriasis susceptibility

0.24

heel BMD, − 0.04 (−0.11–0.029)

No causal association between psoriasis and heel BMD.

Psoriasis: 19 032 cases, 286 769 controls

eBMD: 462 824; European

Two sample MR

0.28

heel BMD, −0.002 (−0.009–0.002)

Psoriasis

Fracture

60 SNPs

Psoriasis: 19 032 cases, 286 769 controls

Fracture: 45 087 cases, 317 775 controls; European

Two sample MR

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of psoriasis susceptibility

0.72

Fracture, 1.00 (0.99–1.02)

No causal association between psoriasis and fracture.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

eBMD

25 SNPs

301 667; European

One-sample MR

SD change in BMD per odds in log-odds of psoriatic arthritis susceptibility

0.88

heel BMD, 0.002 (−0.025–0.030)

No causal association between psoriatic arthritis and heel BMD.

PsA: 3 061 cases, 13 670 controls

eBMD: 462 824; European

Two sample MR

0.69

heel BMD, −0.001 (−0.005–0.003)

Psoriatic arthritis

Fracture

25 SNPs

PsA: 3 061 cases, 13 670 controls

Fracture: 45 087 cases, 317 775 controls; European

Two sample MR

OR of fracture per doubling in odds of psoriatic arthritis susceptibility

0.52

Fracture, 0.99 (0.98–1.01)

No causal association between psoriatic arthritis and fracture.

  1. IVs instrument variables, 25OHD 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 2SLS two-stage least squares, BMC bone mineral content, BMD bone mineral density, BMI body mass, CAD Coronary Artery Disease, CI confidence interval, CRP C-reactive protein, DBP vitamin D binding protein, eBMD estimated bone mineral density from ultrasound, FA forearm, FHS Framingham Heart Study, FN femoral neck, IVW Inverse-variance weighted, IW Instrumental variable, LL lower limbs, LS lumbar spine, NA not available, OR odds ratio, PE pelvis, SD standard deviation, SK Skull, T1D type 1diabetes, T2D type 2 diabetes, TB total body, TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, UL upper limbs