A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study of Tea-Drinking Habits and Risk of Elevated Serum Uric Acid Levels

Abstract

Background

Although recent animal experiments have revealed that tea intake improves elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels, a causal link between the consumption of different types of tea and SUA levels remains undetermined.

Methods

Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on genome-wide association studies was used to assess the causal relationship between consumption of different types of tea and the risk of elevated SUA levels in European and Asian populations.

Results

Forward MR analysis showed that tea intake was significantly associated with lower SUA levels (p = 0.0013). The estimated effect value ($\beta$ $=$ −0.0440) suggests that for every 1-unit increase in tea intake, there is a 0.044-unit decrease in SUA levels. However, there is no reverse causality between SUA and tea intake (p = 0.2824). No causal relationship was found between the consumption of different types of tea and risk of elevated SUA levels (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Although this bidirectional MR study provided evidence of a causal relationship between tea intake and SUA levels, however, due to limitations associated with the sample size and strength of instrumental variables, a definite conclusion was not possible.