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April 10, 2026Journal of Human GeneticsOpen Access

Associations of polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes with metabolic measures in Pacific Islanders from Guam and Saipan

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Key result

Higher T2D polygenic risk scores linked to up to ~81% greater T2D odds per SD in Pacific Islanders.

  • OR 1.39-1.81
  • P<5x10^-9
  • n=1,990

Why the study?

Polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes have been derived from GWASs, but Pacific populations have generally not been represented.

Do polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes associate with diabetes and metabolic measures in Pacific Islander populations?

Population

1990 Pacific Islander participants from Guam and Saipan

Comparison

Seven constructions of polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes

Design

Community-based cross-sectional study

Authors

MRMaria J. Ramirez-LuzuriagaSSSaied SafabakhshRSRasol Salehi

Discussion

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Overview

Supports T2D risk stratification in Pacific Islanders; extends PRS transferability to this underrepresented population.

Key Points

  • The study aims to explore the relationship between polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes and metabolic indicators in Pacific Islander populations.
  • Analyzed seven constructions of polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes.
  • Utilized data from a community-based cross-sectional study of 1990 participants.
  • Adjusted analyses for age, sex, and genetic principal components to account for population stratification.
  • Included insulin resistance/secretion measures in 989 participants without diabetes.
  • All seven polygenic risk scores significantly associated with type 2 diabetes (p < 5 × 10 −9).
  • A 1-SD increase in the polygenic risk score correlated with a 39–81% increase in odds of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Higher fasting glucose levels were associated with a 1-SD increase in polygenic risk scores (0.30–0.46 mmol/L).
  • HbA1c levels increased by 2.68–4.63 mmol/mol per 1-SD increase in polygenic risk scores.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=1,990)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Do polygenic risk scores for type 2 diabetes associate with diabetes and metabolic measures in Pacific Islander populations?

P
Population
1990 Pacific Islander participants from Guam and Saipan in a community-based cross-sectional study of diabetes (including a subset of 989 participants without diabetes for insulin measures)
I
Intervention
Seven constructions of polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for type 2 diabetes
O
Outcome
Association with type 2 diabetes, maximum body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and HbA1csurrogate

Main Result

Effect estimate: OR 1.39-1.81

p-value: p=<5x10^-9

Type 2 diabetes polygenic risk scores derived from other populations show transferability and strong association with diabetes and metabolic measures in Pacific Islanders.

Limitations

  • The ancestry of the participants was largely CHamoru, which may not be representative of Pacific populations as a whole
  • Participants were recruited from dialysis centers and diabetes cases were over-sampled, introducing potential sample bias
  • The prevalence of diabetes in the study population is likely not reflective of the general population in Guam and Saipan

Cite This Study

Ramirez-Luzuriaga et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Type 2 diabetes (n=1,990). Type 2 diabetes polygenic risk scores (PRSs) was evaluated on Type 2 diabetes status (OR 1.39-1.81, p=<5x10^-9). A 1-SD increase in type 2 diabetes polygenic risk scores was associated with a 39% to 81% increase in the odds of type 2 diabetes in Pacific Islanders from Guam and Saipan.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d895796c1944d70ce06888https://doi.org/10.1038/s10038-026-01474-x
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Transferability of polygenic risk scores for metabolic and cardiovascular traits in an underrepresented population2025
  2. 2Pathway insights and predictive modeling for type 2 diabetes using polygenic risk scores2025
  3. 3Multi-ancestry polygenic risk scores for the prediction of type 2 diabetes and complications in diverse ancestries.2025 · 4 citations
  4. 4Risk prediction and interaction analysis using polygenic risk score of type 2 diabetes in a Korean population2024 · 2 citations
  5. 5Genome-wide polygenic risk score for type 2 diabetes in Indian population2023 · 6 citations