Vitamin D Receptor <i>TaqI</i> Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case–Control Study Among Ethiopian Population

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and diverse illness that is influenced by several vulnerable genes as well as environmental risk factors. The aim of this study was to ascertain the relationship between the vitamin D receptor <i>TaqI</i> gene polymorphisms and the risk of T2DM at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An age- and sex-matched hospital-based case-control study involved 70 patients with T2DM and 70 nondiabetic healthy controls. Demographic information was assessed in order to identify the associated risk variables. To ascertain the <i>TaqI</i> genotypes, DNA was taken from blood samples and used in a polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The frequency of the homozygous <i>TaqI</i>-tt genotype [odds ratios (OR): 2.69; 95% confidence level (CL): 1.05-6.44; <i>P</i> = 0.38], and the t allele (OR: 1.90; 95% CL: 1.16-3.12; <i>P</i> = 0.0099) was significantly higher in patients with T2DM compared to nondiabetic controls. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The results suggest that the <i>TaqI</i> gene polymorphism may be related to the onset of T2DM in the Ethiopian population under study.