Genetics of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Malaysia: a review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Genetics of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Malaysia

T2 - a review

AU - Mohd Redzuan, Nurul Humaira

AU - Sulaiman, Siti Aishah

AU - Abdul Murad, Nor Azian

AU - Ahmad, Norfazilah

AU - Lang, Chim C.

AU - Jamal, Rahman

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a significant public health concern in Malaysia, with rising prevalence across its multi-ethnic population. Genetic predisposition plays a key role in the development of T2D, but studies focusing on Malaysian populations remain limited. This review summarizes existing evidence on genetic variants associated with T2D in the Malaysian population, focusing on single-nucleotide variants and ethnic-specific risk patterns. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases, identifying 31 relevant studies published between 2000 and 2024. Key findings were discussed to identify commonly implicated variants and ethnic differences in the association with T2D. These findings highlight the ethnic-specific genetic risk factors within the Malaysians, confirming the need to consider ethnic diversity and inclusion in T2D genetic study design, analysis, and clinical translation. This review offers a novel insight into the ethnic-specific effects of Malaysian T2D risks, particularly the underrepresented Malay ethnic group, which is important for the future development of precision medicine strategies for T2D in Malaysia.

AB - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a significant public health concern in Malaysia, with rising prevalence across its multi-ethnic population. Genetic predisposition plays a key role in the development of T2D, but studies focusing on Malaysian populations remain limited. This review summarizes existing evidence on genetic variants associated with T2D in the Malaysian population, focusing on single-nucleotide variants and ethnic-specific risk patterns. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases, identifying 31 relevant studies published between 2000 and 2024. Key findings were discussed to identify commonly implicated variants and ethnic differences in the association with T2D. These findings highlight the ethnic-specific genetic risk factors within the Malaysians, confirming the need to consider ethnic diversity and inclusion in T2D genetic study design, analysis, and clinical translation. This review offers a novel insight into the ethnic-specific effects of Malaysian T2D risks, particularly the underrepresented Malay ethnic group, which is important for the future development of precision medicine strategies for T2D in Malaysia.

KW - Ethnic-specific risk

KW - Genetic abnormalities

KW - Genetic predisposition

KW - Genetic variants

KW - Insulin resistance

KW - Malaysia

KW - Review

KW - Type 2 diabetes

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105008522500

U2 - 10.1186/s43042-025-00736-1

DO - 10.1186/s43042-025-00736-1

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105008522500

SN - 1110-8630

VL - 26

JO - Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics

JF - Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics

IS - 1

M1 - 109

ER -