Genetic predictors associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic foot

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is crucial for preventing irreversible blindness. Recent studies identified some of the genetic factors involved in the pathology of DR, although their precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to determine genetic predictors of DR among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and diabetic foot (DF) based on pathogenetic pathways.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 114 patients with T2D and DF (64 with DR, 50 without DR). Genetic analysis was performed for each patient and the following alterations were analyzed: rs759853 (AKR1B1), rs1800469 (TGFB1), rs2073618 and rs3134069 (TNFRSF11B), rs6330 and rs11466112 (NGF), rs1801133 (MTHFR), rs8192678 (PPARGC1A), rs1799983 (NOS3), rs1553005 (CALCA), and rs121917832 (CDKN1B).

RESULTS: Correlations with DR were identified for the following single nucleotide variants (SNVs): rs759853, rs2073618, and rs3134069. Carriers of the G allele of the rs759853 variant had a higher risk of DR in the dominant model (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–7.81; P = 0.02). We analyzed 2 SNVs of the osteoprotegerin gene (rs3134069 and rs2073618), and found that the A allele of the rs3134069 variant decreased the risk of DR in both the recessive and additive models (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.07–10.3; P = 0.04). Conversely, there were fewer carriers of the C allele of the rs2073618 variant in patients with DR in the dominant model (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09–0.92; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the SNVs rs759853, rs3134069, and rs2073618 may be involved in the development of DR in patients with T2D and DF.