Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes: a Meta-analysis

Background And Aims: A number of studies have shown that polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are implicated in susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the results are inconsistent and inconclusive.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the association among the four polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI) in the VDR gene and T2D susceptibility. A total of 14 articles were included in this meta-analysis.

Results: FokI polymorphism was associated with an overall significantly increased risk of T2D (f vs. F: OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.41; the extreme model ff vs. FF: OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.94; the recessive model ff vs. Ff + FF: OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.25, 1.82). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant association between the Fok1 polymorphism and T2D in an Asian population.

Conclusions: There was no between-study heterogeneity in any of these analyses. No significant associations were observed among the BsmI, ApaI and TaqI variants andT2D risk. This meta-analysis suggests that the FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene could be a risk factor for T2D, especially in an Asian population.