Standardizing trait selection in Mendelian randomization studies concerning sarcopenia

• Published in: Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle sarcopenia and muscle, 2024-06, Vol.15 (3), p.1220-1221
• Main Authors: Liu, Mingchong, Chen, Pengcheng, Yang, Chensong, Sun, Guixin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Disease; Exercise; Letter to the Editor; Letters to the Editor; Muscle strength; Sarcopenia
• ISSN: 2190-5991; 2190-6009; 2190-6009
• DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13463

According to the EWGSOP2 consensus, the evaluation of sarcopenia includes three parts: muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance. 7 Therefore, we believe the selection of sarcopenia-associated traits should also meet the three parts. Following the definition of sarcopenia, we suggest that we should ensure that the selection of sarcopenia-associated traits covers three characteristics of sarcopenia (muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance) when selecting sarcopenia-associated traits in MR analysis. Table 1 Usual GWAS information for sarcopenia-associated traits Parameters Traits Sample size Sources Muscle strength Handgrip strength (EWGSOP) 256 523 PMID: 33510174 Handgrip strength (FNIH) 256 523 PMID: 33510174 Handgrip strength (right) 461 089 IEUID: ukb-b-10215 Handgrip strength (left) 461 026 IEUID: ukb-b-7478 Muscle mass or muscle quality Appendicular lean mass (BIA) 450 243 PMID: 33097823 Whole-body fat-free mass 454 850 IEUID: ukb-b-13354 Physical performance Usual walking pace 459 915 IEUID: ukb-b-4711 Physical activity in the last 4 weeks 460 376 IEUID: ukb-b-15869 Able to walk or cycle unaided for 10 min 69 537 IEUID: ukb-b-14149 Moderate to vigorous physical activity levels 377 234 PMID: 29899525 Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests.