Association of FTO Polymorphism with GDM: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

The fat mass and obesity (FTO) gene is linked to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and insulin sensitivity is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of GDM. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been linked to the susceptibility to the development of GDM, but the findings are contradictory. In order to reach a valid conclusion, we conducted a meta-analysis of previously published reports in the present study. Three SNPs (rs9939609, rs8050136, and rs1421085) have been extensively studied for their link to GDM susceptibility. The literature search was conducted using the databases PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. All relevant articles were reviewed, and eligible reports were identified using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Various data extracted from the eligible reports such as author information, year of publication, ethnicity, genotype and allele prevalence in cases and controls. The meta-analysis was carried out using the comprehensive meta-analysis software V3. The current meta-analysis considered ten studies with a total of 2278 GDM cases and 3952 healthy controls. All FTO polymorphisms studied (rs9939609, rs8050136, and rs1421085) failed to show a significant association with the development of GDM. The trial sequential analysis revealed that a sufficient number of studies were included for the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and highlighted the need for additional research for the rs8050136 and rs1421085 polymorphisms to draw a definitive conclusion on the role of FTO in GDM. FTO polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs8050136, and rs1421085) are not associated with the development of GDM. However, further studies are required in different populations to draw a definitive conclusion.