What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate how haptoglobin polymorphisms relate to microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes patients.

March 10, 2026Open Access

Association of Haptoglobin Polymorphism With Microvascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study From a Tertiary Care Center in South India

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate how haptoglobin polymorphisms relate to microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes patients.
Conducted a case-control study with 84 type 2 diabetes patients.
Determined haptoglobin genotypes using polymerase chain reaction.
Recorded clinical and biochemical parameters including HbA1c and renal function markers.
Performed group comparisons using statistical tests.
Hp2-2 genotype was significantly more common in patients with complications (62.5-83.3%) compared to controls (26.2%).
Significant associations between Hp2-2 and nephropathy (p=0.001), neuropathy (p=0.003), and retinopathy (p=0.002).
Patients with complications had higher HbA1c levels (8.51% vs. 7.92%, p=0.038) and greater prevalence of microalbuminuria (78.6% vs. 11.9%, p<0.001).

Abstract

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem in India, with microvascular complications contributing substantially to morbidity. Haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphisms, particularly the Hp2-2 genotype, have been associated with increased oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the association between Hp polymorphisms and microvascular complications in T2DM patients attending a tertiary care center in South India. Methods A hospital-based case-control study was conducted between July 2023 and December 2024. Eighty-four T2DM patients were enrolled, including 42 cases with documented microvascular complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, and/or neuropathy) and 42 controls without complications. Haptoglobin genotypes (Hp1-1, Hp2-1, Hp2-2) were determined using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. Clinical and biochemical parameters, including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, and renal function markers, were recorded. Group comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results The Hp2-2 genotype was significantly more prevalent among cases compared with controls (62.5-83.3% across complication subgroups vs. 26.2% in controls). Significant associations were observed between Hp2-2 and diabetic nephropathy (p=0.001), neuropathy (p=0.003), and retinopathy (p=0.002). Patients with complications demonstrated higher mean HbA1c levels (8.51 ± 2.20% vs. 7.92 ± 1.29%, p=0.038) and a greater prevalence of microalbuminuria (78.6% vs. 11.9%, p<0.001). Conclusion The Hp2-2 genotype is strongly associated with the presence of microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. These findings suggest that Hp genotyping may have potential utility in identifying individuals at increased risk for diabetic microvascular disease.

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