Association between genetically predicted dietary patterns and atrial fibrillation: a two sample Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND

The impact of dietary habits on atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear, and observational findings are often inconsistent. Clarifying the causal relationships between specific dietary habits and AF may provide insights into disease etiology and primary prevention.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the causal effects of 20 dietary habits on AF using Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches.

METHODS

Genetic instruments for 20 predefined dietary habits, including alcohol, processed meat, pork, poultry, beef, fish, bread, cheese, vegetables, fruits, coffee, water intake, and coffee-adjusted water intake, were obtained from the IEU GWAS project. Summary-level data for AF were derived from large genome-wide association studies of European ancestry. The primary MR analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, with replication in the UK Biobank cohort. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger intercept testing, MR-PRESSO global testing, and leave-one-out analyses to assess robustness and potential horizontal pleiotropy.

RESULTS

Among the 20 dietary habits analyzed, higher genetically predicted consumption of pork (OR 1.819; 95% CI 1.144–2.893; P = 0.012), coffee (OR 1.281; 95% CI 1.036–1.583; P = 0.022), water intake (OR 1.262; 95% CI 1.005–1.583; P = 0.045), and coffee-adjusted water intake (OR 1.133; 95% CI 1.004–1.279; P = 0.044) showed evidence of a causal association with an increased risk of AF. No causal associations were observed for other dietary habits. Sensitivity analyses indicated robust results with no substantial heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.

CONCLUSION

This MR study suggests that genetically predicted pork consumption, coffee intake, and water-related dietary habits may be causally associated with an increased risk of AF. These findings contribute to understanding the potential role of specific dietary behaviors in AF susceptibility.