Lifestyle, Air Pollution, and Genetic Risk in Intracranial Aneurysm: Insights from the UK Biobank

Introduction: No studies have examined the interactions among lifestyle, air pollution, and a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) and the risk of Intracranial Aneurysm (IA). This study aimed to elucidate these associations using data from the UK Biobank cohort study. Materials and Methods: The PRS were classified into three (high, intermediate, and low) genetic risk. The outcome in this study was new-onset IA during the follow-up period. Results: The analysis included 344 incident IA participants [185 (53.78%) ≤ 60 years, 205 (59.59%) female]. Compared with those having an ideal lifestyle, participants with an intermediate lifestyle (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.83; P = 0.004) or poor lifestyle (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.19; P = 0.033) had a significantly increased risk of IA. High PRS (HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.45; P < 0.001) and intermediate PRS (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.88; P = 0.014) were associated with a higher risk of incident IA. Apart from the significant associations of PM10 and PMc with IA risk in specific contexts, other air pollution indicators were not associated with increased IA risk. Moreover, no interactions were observed among lifestyle, air pollution, and PRS. Discussion: This cohort study indicates that poor lifestyle and genetic susceptibility were independently associated with higher IA risk, while no association was observed with air pollution. Conclusion: Lifestyle and genetic susceptibility were independently associated with IA risk, while no associations were found with air pollutants.