Non-Association between rs7903146 and rs12255372 Polymorphisms in Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Gene and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Jahrom City, Iran

BACKGROUND: Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) is a transcription factor in the Wnt signaling pathway. High levels of TCF7L2 have been reported in most human tissues, including the heart, lung, brain, liver, kidney, placenta, adipose tissues, and pancreatic beta-cells. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between TCF7L2 polymorphisms (rs12255372 and rs7903146) and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the city of Jahrom, Iran. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted with 200 patients referred to Diabetes Clinics and 200 healthy subjects in Jahrom City. Biochemical characteristics were first determined. TCF7L2 rs1255372 and rs7903146 polymorphisms were then genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: T-allele frequencies of both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in normal glucose-tolerant subjects (rs12255372: 20.3% vs. 14.5%; rs7903146: 28.5% vs. 22.25%). The rs12255372 (G/T) polymorphism analysis showed an odds ratio of 0.473 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.170 to 1.314; P=0.151) for the TT genotype and 0.646 (95% CI, 0.410 to 1.019; P=0.060) for the TG genotype, compared with the GG genotype. The rs7903146 (C/T) polymorphism odds ratios for TT and TC genotypes were 0.564 (95% CI, 0.280 to 1.135; P=0.109) and 0.751 (95% CI, 0.487 to 1.157; P=0.194) compared with the CC genotype, respectively. CONCLUSION: The rs12255372 and rs7903146 SNPs of the TCF7L2 gene were not associated with insulin resistance in the evaluated population.

Association of Estrogen Receptor alpha Genes PvuII and XbaI Polymorphisms with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Inpatient Population of a Hospital in Southern Iran

BACKGROUND: Estrogen plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Very few studies have shown the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), PvuII and XbaI gene polymorphisms with T2DM in both men and women. We evaluated the hypothesis that PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of ERalpha gene may be associated with T2DM in adult. METHODS: From spring of 2010 to the fall of 2011, a case-control study was performed at clinical centers of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. We included 174 patients with T2DM including men and women and 174 age, sex, and body mass index frequency-matched health controls. We analyzed the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of ERalpha by using the polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: No significant differences between demographic characteristics of control and patients groups were observed. Allele frequencies of both PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were significantly different between patients and control subjects (P=0.014 vs. P=0.002, respectively). When the group was separated into women and men, logistic regression analysis of genotype distribution of PvuII (pp vs. Pp+PP) in both sexes revealed that there was no significant association of PvuII genotype with men (odds ratio [OR], 1.67; confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 3.28; P=0.89) and women (OR, 0.96; CI, 0.53 to 1.74; P=0.12). CONCLUSION: PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms in ERalpha are related with T2DM in the inpatient population.

Chronic Pain and Its Determinants: A Population-based Study in Southern Iran

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic characteristics have been reported by different studies from different geographical regions in the world. However, data from many Middle East countries including Iran (especially southern Iran) are scare. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic, psychological and socioeconomic factors in an Iranian population. METHODS: In this population-based survey, the target population was comprised of subjects aged 20 to 85 years residing in Jahrom, southern Iran during 2009-2011. All eligible subjects were invited to participate in the study. Before a detailed questionnaire was given; face to face interviews were done for each individual. RESULTS: There were 719 men and 874 women with an average age of 40.5 years at the onset of the study. Among the study population, 38.9% (620/1,593) complained of chronic pain, of whom 40.8% (253/620) were men and 59.2% (367/620) were women. Foot and joint pain were observed in 31.9%. Hip and spine pain, migraine and tension headaches, heart pain, and abdomen pain were observed in 21.5%, 15.5%, 9.5%, and 8.0% of chronic pain cases, respectively. There was a significant association among the covariables age, sex, overweight, educational level, income, and type of employment with chronic pain as the dependent variable (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show the prevalence of chronic pain and its association with demographic, psychological and socioeconomic factors. Individuals with low incomes and less education became accustomed to pain due to a lack of knowledge.