Hormonal
Genetically elevated body mass index (BMI) in early adulthood causally increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), with a 1 standard deviation increase in BMI associated with a 41% increase in MS odds.
Maintaining a healthy body weight, particularly during childhood and early adulthood, is a critical, modifiable strategy to reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. This study provides strong causal evidence that higher BMI directly increases MS risk, suggesting that weight management interventions are not just for metabolic health but also for neurological protection.
Our results suggest that increased BMI influences MS susceptibility, where a 1 standard deviation increase in genetically determined BMI (kg/m2) increased odds of MS by 41% (odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% CI 1.20–1.66, p = 2.7 x 10−5...)
Why this rating
Mendelian randomization provides strong evidence for causality by minimizing confounding, though residual pleiotropy cannot be entirely excluded.
Source
Obesity and Multiple Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Lauren E. Mokry et al. · PLoS Medicine · 2016
DOI 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002053
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