Genetic study of Saudi diabetes (GSSD): significant association of the KCNJ11 E23K polymorphism with type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
The E23K variant of KCNJ11 has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in several but not all populations studied. Thus far, despite a high incidence of T2D, the role of this variant in Arabs has not been established.


METHODS
We performed a case-control association study using 550 T2D Saudi patients (WHO criteria), and 335 controls (age>or=60; fasting plasma glucose<7 mmol/L). E23K genotyping was performed by using molecular beacon-based real time PCR assays.


RESULTS
The difference in K or risk allele frequency of cases and controls was significant with an OR of 1.7 (p=0.0001). The K allele is more common among T2D patients (21%) than in the age and sex matched controls (13.6%). This was consistent with a likely eventual conversion to T2D of younger normoglycemic individuals as they grow older.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results report for the first time a positive association of the E23K variant with T2D in an Arab population. Confirmation by a larger study is indicated.
Alsmadi
Osama
O
Arabian Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL), Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, and Diabetes Center, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. oalsmadi@kfshrc.edu.sa
Al-Rubeaan
Khalid
K
Wakil
Salma M
SM
Imtiaz
Faiqa
F
Mohamed
Gamal
G
Al-Saud
Haya
H
Al-Saud
Nouran Abu
NA
Aldaghri
Nasser
N
Mohammad
Shahinaz
S
Meyer
Brian F
BF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018912:Arabs / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000235:genetics*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000099161:Kcnj11 Channel
D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D000099161:Kcnj11 Channel