Mendelian Randomization has become a popular tool to assess causal relationships using existing observational data. While randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard for establishing causality between exposures and outcomes, it is not always feasible to conduct a trial. Mendelian Randomization is a causal inference method that uses observational data to infer causal relationships by using genetic variation as a surrogate for the exposure of interest. Publications using the approach have increased dramatically in recent years, including in the field of hepatology. In this concise review, we describe the concepts, assumptions, and interpretation of Mendelian Randomization as related to studies in hepatology. We focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the approach for a non-statistical audience, using an illustrative example to assess the causal relationship between body mass index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

中文翻译：

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肝病学孟德尔随机化：原理、机遇和挑战回顾。

孟德尔随机化已成为使用现有观察数据评估因果关系的流行工具。虽然随机对照试验被认为是确定暴露与结果之间因果关系的黄金标准，但进行试验并不总是可行的。孟德尔随机化是一种因果推断方法，通过使用遗传变异作为感兴趣暴露的替代，使用观察数据来推断因果关系。近年来，使用该方法的出版物急剧增加，包括肝病学领域。在这篇简明的综述中，我们描述了与肝病学研究相关的孟德尔随机化的概念、假设和解释。我们重点关注该方法针对非统计受众的优点和缺点，使用说明性示例来评估体重指数与非酒精性脂肪肝之间的因果关系。