BACKGROUND: Accumulating but inconsistent data about the role of rs13266634 variant of SLC30A8 in type 2 diabetes have been reported, partly due to small sample sizes and non-identical ethnicity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library to identify eligible studies and extract data of baseline characteristics, genotype count, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Both adjusted OR with 95% CI and genotype counts were employed to assess the association. Genotype data were further pooled to provide estimates under different genetic models and the most appropriate model was determined. Sensitivity and cumulative analysis were conducted to assure the strength of results.

RESULTS: Fifty-five datasets of 39 studies (including 38 of 24 with genotype count) were included. Significant associations were found in allelic contrasts using adjusted ORs and raw genotype count, respectively, overall in Asian and European populations (overall: OR=1.147/1.157, 95% CI 1.114–1.181/1.135–1.180; Asian: OR=1.186/1.165, 95% CI 1.150–1.222/1.132–1.198; European: OR=1.100/1.151, 95% CI 1.049–1.153/1.120–1.183; All p=0.00), but not in African populations (African: OR=1.255/1.111, 95% CI 0.964–1.634/0.908–1.360, p=0.091/0.305). Further analysis with genotype count under different genetic models all showed that individuals with CC genotype had 33.0% and 16.5% higher risk of type 2 diabetes than those carrying TT and CT genotypes, respectively, under the most likely codominant model. Cumulative analysis indicated gradually improved precision of estimation after studies accumulated.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that rs13266634 may be an important genetic factor of type 2 diabetes risk among Asian and European but not African populations.

Keywords: Cation Transport Proteins - genetics, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics, European Continental Ancestry Group, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genotype, Odds Ratio, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Risk Factors