Simulation results when the outcome is affected continuously by the exposure across time. Box plots of multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) estimates with risk factors taken as the exposure measure at different measured time points: Scenario 2A: null effect until time 40, positive effect thereafter; Scenario 2B: positive effect until time 20, null effect thereafter; Scenario 2C: constant positive effect. Box indicates lower quartile, median and upper quartile; error bars represent the minimal and maximal data point falling in the 1.5 interquartile range distance from the lower/upper quartile; estimates outside this range are plotted separately