Abstract

Background: Inconclusive findings on the association of polymorphisms in vitamin D receptors (VDR) with the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have been obtained in several studies. Aim: The present meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively examine the effects of rs7975232, rs1544410, rs2228570, and rs731236 polymorphisms in the VDR gene on the risk of T1DM in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) population. Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for related literature published up to May 2021. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to measure the strength of the associations. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to the assessment of the methodological quality of each study. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to find the potential sources of heterogeneity. Results: Nine studies consisting of 1618 subjects were included in this study. A protective association for rs1544410 polymorphism under allelic model OR = 0.597, 95% CI (0.360–0.989), P = 0.045, codominant model OR = 0.432, 95% CI (0.220–0.851), P = 0.015, and dominant model OR = 0.460, 95% CI (0.257–0.824), P = 0.009, and a predisposing association under recessive model OR = 1.607, 95% CI (1.017–2.539), P = 0.042 with T1DM risk was found in selected population. However, no significant associations between rs7975232, rs2228570 and rs731236 and T1DM risk were observed (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis suggested that rs1544410 polymorphism might be associated with risk of T1DM in the EMRO population. © 2021