Mendelian Randomization Studies: Opening a New Window in the Study of Metabolic Diseases and Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

It is widely recognized that a strong correlation exists between metabolic diseases and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Based on bibliometric statistics, the overall number of Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in relation to metabolic diseases and CKD has increased since 2005. In recent years, this topic has emerged as a significant area of research interest. In clinical studies, RCTs are often limited due to the intricate causal interplay between metabolic diseases and CKD, which makes it difficult to ascertain the precise etiology of these conditions definitively. In MR studies, genetic variation is incorporated as an instrumental variable (IV). They elucidate the possible causal relationships between associated risk factors and disease risks by including individual innate genetic markers. It is widely believed that MR avoids confounding and can reverse effects to the greatest extent possible. As an increasingly popular technology in the medical field, MR studies have become a popular technology in causal relationships investigation, particularly in epidemiological etiology studies. At present, MR has been widely used for the investigation of medical etiologies, drug development, and decision-making in public health. The article aims to offer insights into the causal relationship between metabolic diseases and CKD, as well as strategies for prevention and treatment, through a summary of MR-related research on these conditions.