RESUMO
AIMS: Young-onset T2D (YT2D) is associated with a more fulminant course and greater propensity for diabetic complications. The association of PAX4 R192H (rs2233580) variation with YT2D was inconsistent partly because of its Asian-specificity and under-representation of Asians in international consortiums. Interestingly, in our preliminary YT2D (meanâ¯=â¯25â¯years old) cohort, the prevalence of PAX4 R192H variant was remarkably higher (21.4%) than the general population. Therefore, we sought to determine whether PAX4 R192H is associated with younger onset of T2D in our East Asian (Chinese) population. METHODS: Genotyping of PAX4 R192H was carried out using Illumina OmniExpress BeadChips as part of a genome-wide association study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Ver. 22. RESULTS: PAX4 R192H genotype was associated with younger onset age (CC: 47.1, CT: 46.0, TT: 42.6) after adjusting for gender, Fâ¯=â¯5.402, pâ¯=â¯0.005. Independently, onset of diabetes was younger among males by 2.52â¯years, 95% CI [-3.45, -1.59], pâ¯<â¯0.0001. HOMA-IR and HOMA-%B were not significantly different across genotypes for a subset (nâ¯=â¯1045) of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Minor allele (T) of PAX4 R192H is associated with younger onset diabetes among Chinese in Singapore. Determining this genotype is important for identifying at-risk individuals for earlier onset diabetes and diabetic complications.