This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Increased adiposity may contribute to HF
In a large study of nearly 200,000 participants, an international research team employed a new genetic method to study links between increased adiposity and CVD and found that a one-unit increase in BMI increases the risk for developing HF by an average of 20%.
The study was performed within the framework of the research consortium, European Network for Genetic and Genomic Epidemiology (ENGAGE).
Researchers examined the gene variant — rs9939609 — in the FTO locus, which regulates the appetite, to determine any links to CVD and metabolism. Researchers used this variant as an instrumental variable for BMI in a method called Mendelian randomization. They included 36 population-based studies in people of European descent in their analysis.
Results from the instrumental variable analysis showed that adiposity was associated with incident HF (HR=1.19 per one-unit increase in BMI; 95% CI, 1.03-1.39). Along with an increased risk for developing HF, the researchers also concluded that, consistent with previous studies, increased BMI is associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and hypertension (OR=1.1-1.4; P<.05 for all). Data also demonstrated a causal effect of adiposity on the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, systolic and diastolic BP, fasting insulin, 2-hour post-load glucose according to an oral glucose tolerance test, C-reactive protein, triglycerides and HDL levels (P<.05 for all).
“Epidemiological studies look for associations in large populations, but it is usually difficult to reliably determine cause and effect — what we call causality. By using this new genetic method, Mendelian randomization, in our research, we can now confirm what many people have long believed, that increased BMI contributes to the development of heart failure. We also found that overweight causes increases in liver enzymes. This knowledge is important, as it strengthens the evidence that forceful societal measures need to be taken to counteract the epidemic of obesity and its consequences,” Erik Ingelsson, MD, PhD, FAHA, professor in the department of medical sciences and the science for life laboratory at Uppsala University, Sweden, said in a press release.
Disclosure: Fall has received honoraria by MSD. See the study for a full list of financial disclosures.