Genetic Susceptibility of Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) represent complex, multifactorial conditions that pose significant challenges to public health and healthcare costs worldwide. These two conditions share common risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension and, as a consequence, are frequently jointly diagnosed in an individual. More specifically, it is estimated that around 85% of T2D patients also have MetS, while patients diagnosed with MetS are five times as likely to develop T2D. While lifestyle and environmental factors, such as poor diet and physical inactivity, play a crucial role, genetic susceptibility also has a substantial influence on the overall risk. Recent advancements in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have had a major impact on identifying numerous genetic loci associated with these conditions. This narrative review summarizes key findings from T2D and MetS genome-wide association studies, highlighting key genetic loci and pathways and their clinical implications. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the known genetic underpinnings of T2D and MetS to inform future research and open potential therapeutic and preventive strategies.