The causal association between primary hypertension, triglycerides, insomnia and risk of spinal stenosis: A Mendelian randomization study

Background: The risk factors for spinal stenosis are unclear. During this research, we conducted an exploration of the causal relationships between primary hypertension, triglycerides, insomnia, and spinal stenosis in European-origin patients. Methods Genome-wide association study data from large sample projects related to our reaserch were downloaded from the IEU OpenGWAS Project. These data relate mainly to the following characteristics: primary hypertension, insomnia, triglycerides, and spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis was taken as the consequence and the three other features as the exposure. The analyses were conducted with single and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR). The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) MR served as the primary measure of analysis. To test the stability and reliability of causal estimates, we conducted a variety of sensitivity tests, which included consistent, heterogenicity, and pleiotropy analyses. Results According to the IVW results of MR univariate analysis, spinal stenosis risk is higher in patients with primary hypertension (odds ratio (OR): 1.0124; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0036–1.0213; P value: 5.49×10 − 3), insomnia (OR: 1.0062; 95% CI: 1.0008–1.0116; P value: 0.023), and triglycerides (OR: 1.0012; 95% CI: 1.0003–1.0021; P value: 0.004). However, multivariable MR analysis indicated triglycerides (OR: 1.0010; 95% CI: 1.0001–1.0019; P value: 0.018) had an independent causal relationship with spinal stenosis risks. Conclusion This study indicated the effect of primary hypertension, triglycerides, and insomnia on spinal stenosis risks.