SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2026
Causal links between multi-domain risk factors and intervertebral disc degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization studies.
Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe causal roles of modifiable risk factors in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) remain incompletely understood. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have advantages over traditional observational studies. However, given the heterogeneity of current MR study designs for IVDD, the causal estimates of these reported effects remain uncertain, thereby obscuring the true biological impact of factors such as bones, metabolism, inflammation, gut microbiota, and lifestyle on IVDD. PURPOSE: This study synthesized Mendelian randomization (MR) evidence to evaluate the causal relationship between exposure factors across multiple domains and intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD).
methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of MR studies published up to September 30, 2025, with reporting completeness assessed using STROBE-MR. Twenty studies (12 "Excellent", 8 "Good") were included.
resultsHigher bone mineral density significantly increased IVDD risk, including total body BMD (OR = 1.20, 1.15-1.25), lumbar spine BMD (OR = 1.18, 1.13-1.24), heel eBMD (OR = 1.06, 1.03-1.10), and femoral neck BMD (OR = 1.16, 1.09-1.24). Inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ (OR = 0.87, 0.83-0.91) and IL-18 (OR = 0.96, 0.93-0.98) showed inverse associations with IVDD risk. Specific gut microbiota were causally implicated: genus Marvinbryantia (OR = 1.14, 1.07-1.21) and phylum Bacteroidetes (OR = 1.15, 1.06-1.24) increased risk, whereas Order Rhodospirillales (OR = 0.93, 0.90-0.96), Family Rhodospirillaceae (OR = 0.92, 0.88-0.97), and genus Ruminococcaceae UCG003 (OR = 0.92, 0.87-0.97) were protective. Key lifestyle and metabolic risk factors were time watching TV (OR = 1.78, 1.52-2.08), smoking initiation (OR = 1.22, 1.12-1.33), greater height (OR = 1.14, 1.09-1.20), larger waist circumference (OR = 1.26, 1.04-1.53), body mass index (OR = 1.26, 1.14-1.38), triglycerides (OR = 1.08, 1.03-1.13), and Type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.05, 1.03-1.07).
conclusionThis synthesis summarizes current MR evidence suggesting potential causal links between multi-domain factors and IVDD. Among modifiable lifestyle-related factors, genetically predicted time spent watching TV showed a particularly prominent association with IVDD risk. These findings may help prioritize hypotheses for future mechanistic and prevention-oriented studies.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.