The causal relationship between sarcopenia-related traits and ECG indices - A mendelian randomization study

•In this study, we applied the mendelian randomization method to conduct a genetic analysis of the interplay between sarcopenia and EGG indices.•Our study leveraged the latest GWAS data, addressing gaps in the correlation research between sarcopenia and EGG indices through mendelian randomization. This ensures that our study results offer a more reliable reference for health management in individuals with sarcopenia and those undergoing EGG indices.•Mendelian randomization methodology, minimizing the potential impact of confounding social factors on the relationship between exposure factors and outcomes. This approach provides a more reliable and clear data foundation for our study, facilitating a more accurate assessment of the association between sarcopenia and EGG indices. The application of this method instills confidence in proposing relevant health management recommendations to enhance overall patient well-being. Sarcopenia is a common geriatric condition closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and other health issues. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between sarcopenia-related traits and electrocardiogram(ECG) indices. We conducted a comprehensive analysis utilizing summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) associated with sarcopenia-related traits, including hand grip strength, lean body mass, and walking pace. ECG indices included PR interval, PP interval, ST duration, QRS duration and T wave duration. The primary analytical method employed was the inverse variance-weighted method (IVW). According to our study findings, we identified a significant association between sarcopenia-related traits and ECG indices. Specifically, we observed a positive correlation between increased muscle mass and certain ECG indices. For instance, increased limb muscle mass (including left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg) was associated with prolonged PR interval and QRS duration. This suggests that enhancing muscle mass may impact the timing of cardiac electrical activity. Additionally, increased whole-body fat-free mass showed similar associations with cardiac electrical activity. Sarcopenia-related traits have a unidirectional causal relationship with ECG indices, indicating that sarcopenia affects cardiac electrical activity.