Association of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles with type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes in African Arabs: systematic review and meta-analysis
Creators: name: Abdelhafidh Hajjej
name: Almawi, Wassim Y.
name: Stayoussef, Mouna
name: Arnaiz-Villena, Antonio
name: Lasmar Hattab
name: Slama Hmida
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2018
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Genetics
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy

description: Several studies confirmed the association of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles with altered risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, data from individual studies based on small sample sizes yielded often conflicting findings in African Arabs. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at comprehensively evaluating this association with T1D, using molecular HLA data. Relevant studies were identified through systemic search of Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, ResearchGate, and EMBASE databases. Statistical analysis was carried out using RevMan, and Comprehensive Meta-analysis programs. Given the heterogeneity of African Arabs, we also performed subgroup analysis according to ethnicity. Analysis of sensitivity, heterogeneity, and publication bias were performed to validate the outcome of the findings. This meta-analysis included 862 T1DM cases, along with 1,390 normoglycemic control, and comprised ten comparisons. Our study indicates that DRB1*03 (OR = 2.86), DRB1*04 (OR = 2.78), and DQB1*02 (OR = 2.29), are positively associated with increased risk of T1DM, while DRB1*07 (OR = 0.48), DRB1*11 (OR = 0.20), DRB1*13 (OR = 0.47), DRB1*15 (OR = 0.30), DQB1*05 (OR = 0.39), and DQB1*06 (OR = 0.27) were negatively associated with T1D, suggesting a protective role against T1D. This meta-analysis was characterized by low heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias, indicating the robustness and reliability of the results. <b>Background:</b> Several studies confirmed the association of HLA-DRB1 and –DQB1 alleles with altered risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, data from individual studies based on small sample sizes yielded often conflicting findings in African Arabs. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at comprehensively evaluating this association with T1D, using molecular HLA data. <b>Methods:</b> Relevant studies were identified through systemic search of Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, ResearchGate, and EMBASE databases. Statistical analysis was carried out using Revman, and Comprehensive Meta-analysis programs. Given the heterogeneity of African Arabs, we also performed subgroup analysis according to ethnicity. Analysis of sensitivity, heterogeneity, and pub¬lication bias were performed to validate the outcome of the findings. This meta-analysis included 862 T1DM cases, along with 1,390 normoglycemic control, and comprised ten comparisons. <b>Results:</b> Our study indicates that DRB1*03 (OR = 2.86), DRB1*04 (OR = 2.78), and DQB1*02 (OR = 2.29), are positively associated with increased risk of T1DM, while DRB1*07 (OR = 0.48), DRB1*11 (OR = 0.20), DRB1*13 (OR = 0.47), DRB1*15 (OR = 0.30), DQB1*05 (OR = 0.39), and DQB1*06 (OR = 0.27) were negatively associated with T1D, suggesting a protective role against T1D. Conclusion: This meta-analysis was characterized by low heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias, indicating the robustness and reliability of the results.