Abstract
BACKGROUND: To comprehensively assess evidence from published systematic review and meta-analyses (SRMAs) on the genetics of vascular diabetes complications. METHODS: A systematic literature search conducted in Medline and Embase identified 63 non-overlapping SRMAs. We re-conducted meta-analyses to compare diabetes with and without complications using multiple genetic models; evaluated associations using Venice criteria and Bayesian false-discovery probability (BFDP); and graded as highly credible, credible, and not credible. We also contrasted highly credible and credible associations to recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs). RESULTS: Highly credible evidence was discovered for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1024611 at MCP-1 gene and SNP rs3025039 at VEGF gene with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes; SNP rs2268388 at ACACB gene, insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) variant at ACE gene, SNP rs1801133 at MTHFR gene, and SNP rs7903146 at TCF7L2 gene with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in type 2 diabetes; and SNP rs4880 at SOD2 gene with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 1 diabetes. Combining type 1 and 2 diabetes, highly credible evidence was discovered for insertion/deletion variant at ACE gene, SNP rs759853 at AKR1B1 gene, SNP rs1044498 at ENPP1 gene and DKD, and SNP rs1617640 at EPO gene for the combined endpoint of DR and DKD. None of these associations was directly replicated in the latest GWASs for DR and DKD, however, another SNP, rs55853916 at TCF7L2 gene had been detected as a GWAS hit for DKD. CONCLUSIONS: This umbrella review rigorously assessed evidence on the genetics of vascular diabetes complications, complemented findings in recent GWASs and yielded insight into the optimal selection of genetic models for the design of GWASs on vascular diabetes complications. Mechanistic or bioinformatic studies are warranted to further assess the role of these genes in the pathology of vascular diabetes complications and their potential as drug targets. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42022384423.