Association of SNP in FTO gene, rs9939609, with metabolic syndrome at a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To determine the association of SNP in FTO gene, rs9939609, with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in type 2 diabetic subjects at a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: We genotyped FTO rs9939609 SNP in 296 patients with type 2 diabetes from the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE). MS was defined on the basis of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education program (NCEP)criterion. Association between the rs9939609 SNP and MS was tested through chi-square and Z-tests by using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:The frequency of MS as defined by IDF criterion was significantly higher in female subjects as compared to male subjects (p= 0.006). Carriers of ≥ 1 copy of the rs9939609 A allele were significantly more likely to had MS (69.6%) than non-carriers (30.4%), corresponding to a carrier odds ratio (OR) of 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] (0.29-0.93), with a similar trend for the ATP III-defined MS.“A” allele carriers under dominant model, carry all the criterion of MS more significantly as compared to non-carriers.

Conclusion: The FTO rs9939609 SNP was associated with an increased risk for Metabolic Syndrome in type 2 diabetic populations at a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan.