Taller height as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism: a Mendelian randomization meta‐analysis. (6th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roetker, N. S.; Armasu, S. M.; Pankow, J. S.; Lutsey, P. L.; Tang, W.; Rosenberg, M. A.; Palmer, T. M.; MacLehose, R. F.; Heckbert, S. R.; Cushman, M.; de Andrade, M.; Folsom, A. R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis. Volume 15:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1334
• Page End: 1343
• Publication Date: 2017-06-06
• Subjects: body height -- genetics -- Mendelian randomization analysis -- meta‐analysis -- venous thromboembolism; Thrombosis -- Periodicals; Hemostasis -- Periodicals; Blood coagulation disorders -- Periodicals; 616.1
• DOI: 10.1111/jth.13719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1538-7933

Abstract

Abstract : Essentials Observational data suggest taller people have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We used Mendelian randomization techniques to further explore this association in three studies. Risk of VTE increased by 30–40% for each 10 cm increment in height. Height was more strongly associated with deep vein thrombosis than with pulmonary embolism. Summary: Background: Taller height is associated with a greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Objectives: To use instrumental variable (IV) techniques (Mendelian randomization) to further explore this relationship. Methods: Participants of European ancestry were included from two cohort studies (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities [ARIC] study and Cardiovascular Health Study [CHS]) and one case–control study (Mayo Clinic VTE Study [Mayo]). We created two weighted genetic risk scores (GRSs) for height; the full GRS included 668 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a previously published meta‐analysis, and the restricted GRS included a subset of 362 SNPs not associated with weight independently of height. Standard logistic regression and IV models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for VTE per 10‐cm increment in height. ORs were pooled across the three studies by the use of inverse variance‐weighted random effects meta‐analysis. Results: Among 9143 ARIC and 3180 CHS participants free of VTE at baseline, there were 367 and 109 incident VTE events. There were 1143 VTE cases and 1292 controls included from Mayo. The pooled ORs from non‐IV models and models using the full and restricted GRSs as IVs were 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.46), 1.34 (95% CI 1.04–1.73) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.04–2.01) per 10‐cm greater height, respectively. Conclusions: Taller height is associated with an increased risk of VTE in adults of European ancestry. Possible explanations for this association, including taller people having a greater venous surface area, a higher number of venous valves, or greater hydrostatic pressure, need to be explored further.