What can mendelian randomisation tell us about modifiable behavioural and environmental exposures?

Top Cited Papers
Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Epidemiologists look for modifiable causes of common diseases to improve population health. However, epidemiological studies may identify spurious “causes.” For example, the epidemiological findings that hormone replacement therapy protects against coronary heart disease,w1β carotene prevents lung cancer,w2and vitamin E and vitamin C reduce risk of cardiovascular diseasew3have all been refuted by randomised controlled trials and have raised concerns about the value of epidemiological studies.1 The misleading findings were probably due to confounding by behavioural, physiological, and socioeconomic factors related both to exposures and to disease end points.2 3 One solution to these problems is mendelian randomisation.4 5