Contribution of the TCF7L2 rs7903146 (C/T) gene polymorphism to the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Data on the genetic variants for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in sub-Saharan African populations are very scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association of transcription factor 7-like (TCF7L2) with T2DM in a Cameroonian population and explore possible genotype-phenotype correlation.


METHODS
This is a case-control study involving 37 T2DM patients and 37 non-diabetic volunteers of Cameroonian ethnicity aged 40 years old and above. We collected clinical and biological data to determine phenotypic traits. TCF7L2 was analyzed by genotyping for rs7903146 (C/T) using PCR-RFLP. Biochemical analyses were performed using a spectrophotometer with Chronolab kits. Statistical analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS, PS and Quanto.


RESULTS
TCF7L2 was associated with T2DM in this Cameroonian population (p = 0.013 for alleles, and p = 0.013 for genotypes). The risk allele was C (9.5% patients vs. 0% healthy controls, OR = 16.56) and the protective allele was T (90.5% patients vs. 100.0% healthy controls, OR = 0.06). The risk genotype was C/T (18.9% patients vs. 0% healthy controls, OR = 18.44), while the protective genotype was T/T (81.1% patients vs. 100.0% healthy controls, OR = 0.054). The statistical power was 99.99%. TCF7L2 was not preferentially associated with a specific disease phenotype.


CONCLUSION
TCF7L2 is associated with T2DM in this Cameroonian population. The association is not dependent on a specific T2DM phenotype. Clinical genetic testing for TCF7L2 can help to predict the occurrence of T2DM in Cameroon.
['Guewo-Fokeng|Magellan|M|', 'Sobngwi|Eugene|E|', 'Atogho-Tiedeu|Barbara|B|', 'Donfack|Olivier Sontsa|OS|', 'Noubiap|Jean Jacques N|JJ|', 'Ngwa|Elvis Ndonwi|EN|', 'Mato-Mofo|Edith Pascale|EP|', 'Fosso|Priscille Pokam|PP|', 'Djahmeni|Eric|E|', 'Djokam-Dadjeu|Rosine|R|', 'Evehe|Marie-Solange|MS|', 'Aminkeng|Folefac|F|', 'Mbacham|Wilfred F|WF|', 'Mbanya|Jean Claude|JC|']
Type 2 diabetes Cameroon Genetic association Sub-Saharan Africa Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2)