Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the potential impact of basal metabolic rate on ischemic stroke at the genetic prediction level through a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS: Using summary data from genome-wide association studies, we obtained information on basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke from a large-scale genome-wide association study. MR analysis used inverse variance weighting, weighted median, MR-Egger, simple mode, and weighted estimation. Sensitivity analyses, including the MR-Egger method, MR-PRESSO, Cochran's Q-test, and leave-one-out assessment, were performed to assess the reliability of the results. RESULTS: Genetic susceptibility to basal metabolic rate was significantly associated with ischemic stroke in multiple models, including the inverse variance weighting model (OR, 1.108 [95% CI: 1.005-1.221]; p = 0.0392), the weighted median method (OR, 1.179 [95% CI: 1.020-1.363]; p = 0.0263), and MR-Egger (OR, 1.291 [95% CI: 1.002-1.663]; p = 0.0491). These results indicate a positive causal relationship between basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke. The MR-Egger intercept and Cochran's Q-test indicated the absence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy in the analyses of basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: The MR analysis suggests a positive correlation between basal metabolic rate and ischemic stroke.