Detection of the genetic association of circulating Helicobacter pylori antibodies with atrial fibrillation.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection and H pylori antibodies have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in several observational studies. However, whether this relationship is causal and which H pylori antibodies serve as the determinant of AF remains largely unclear. Recently published Genome-wide association studies on 7 different antibodies of H pylori-specific proteins and AF (2 correction methods) were included in this study. A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was employed to investigate the causal effects of circulating H pylori antibodies on the risk of AF. Genetically predicted serum H pylori Catalase antibody level was associated with an increased risk of AF (Firth correction) (odds ratio = 1.137, 95% confidence interval: 1.008-1.282, P = .037) and AF (saddlepoint approximation correction) (odds ratio = 1.139, 95% confidence interval: 1.010-1.284, P = .034). No significant causal correlations were found between other H pylori antibodies and AF. This Mendelian randomization study demonstrates that H pylori Catalase antibody is the only causal determinant associated with the risk of AF in terms of H pylori-related antibodies.