Independent associations of education, intelligence, and cognition with gastrointestinal diseases and the mediating effects of risk factors: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Background: Education, intelligence and cognition affect occupational performance and socioeconomic status and may influence virous diseases development. However, the impact of these factors on gastrointestinal diseases and their mediating risk factors remains unclear.

Methods: We utilized genome-wide association studies from European ancestry populations to perform two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses, aiming to estimate genetic instruments associated with education, intelligence, or cognition in relation to 24 gastrointestinal diseases Subsequently, we evaluated 14 potential mediators of this association and calculated the corresponding mediated proportions through two-step Mendelian randomization analyses.

Result: As the dominant factor in gastrointestinal diseases, education had a statistically significant association with 2 gastrointestinal diseases (acute pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux) and a suggestive association with 6 diseases (cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer). Of the 14 mediators, smoking and adiposity traits played a major role in mediating the effects.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the causal, independent impact of education on specific gastrointestinal diseases. Smoking and adiposity traits emerged as primary mediators, illuminating potential avenues for targeted interventions for prevention of them.

Keywords: Mendelian randomization; education; gastrointestinal diseases; obesity; smoke.