The Impact of Triglycerides on Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risk Factor and Mendelian Randomization Study

Shuai Liu,1 Qun Liang2 1The First School of Clinical Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, 150000, People’s Republic of China; 2Intensive Care Unit, the First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, 150000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Qun Liang, Intensive Care Unit, the First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No.26 heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, 150000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15124587930, Email [email protected]: This study investigates the association between triglycerides and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk through risk factor analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR).Methods: Data from the Dryad database were used for a case-control study with 455 participants (224 with RA and 231 controls), with a median age of 54 years (IQR: 45– 62) and 34% male participants. Logistic regression analyses identified risk factors, and correlation coefficient analysis assessed associations between triglycerides and RA. A two-sample MR analysis was conducted using genetic variants associated with triglyceride levels as instrumental variables.Results: Logistic regression identified higher triglyceride levels, a history of non-smoking, lower levels of C-reactive protein, and apolipoprotein A as significant risk factors for RA (all P < 0.05). MR analysis showed no significant causal relationship, with odds ratios (IVW OR = 0.944, P = 0.154) close to 1. Heterogeneity tests showed no significant variation in causal estimates, supporting the absence of a causal link between triglycerides and RA.Conclusion: While elevated triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of RA, MR suggests that triglycerides do not play a direct causal role in its development. These findings indicate that triglyceride management may not be a primary focus in RA treatment, but further research into the mechanisms underlying RA progression is needed.Keywords: Mendelian randomization, triglycerides, rheumatoid arthritis, causal relationship, risk factor