'Genetic' Height Linked to Peripheral Neuropathy, Other Disorders
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A person's 'genetic' height – the height they are predicted to reach independent of environmental influences – may be an underappreciated risk factor for a wide range of chronic conditions, according to a study published in PLOS Genetics. Prior studies have investigated height as a risk factor for chronic diseases, such as a higher risk for atrial fibrillation and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It's been consistently difficult, however, to eliminate the confounding influences of diet, socioeconomics, lifestyle behaviors, and other environmental factors that may interfere with a person's reaching their expected height based on their genes.
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@gajraj The results confirmed that being tall is linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation and varicose veins, and a lower risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The study also uncovered new associations between greater height and a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy, which is caused by damage to nerves on the extremities, as well as skin and bone infections, such as leg and foot ulcers.