Key clinical point: Vitamin D and body mass index (BMI) are independent causal risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS) in adulthood and childhood.
Major finding: Genetically determined increased childhood BMI and adult BMI were associated with a 24% and 14% higher risk of MS, respectively. Each genetically determined unit increase in the natural-log-transformed vitamin D level was associated with a 43% reduction in the MS risk.
Study details: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study estimated the effect of BMI and vitamin D status on MS risk; associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms with both the risk factors of interest were obtained from the relevant consortia.
Disclosures: This study was funded through a grant from the Barts Charity. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Citation: Jacobs BM et al. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2020 Jan 14. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000662.