Haptoglobin Gene Polymorphism and Association with Microalbumiuria among Type 2 Diabetic Patients With and without Microalbuminuria in Kano State, Nigeria

<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Background:</bold> Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications that increase steeply along with diabetes epidemic. Microalbuminuria (MA) serve in the early detection of DN. Haptoglobin gene is polymorphic with 3 phenotypes (Hp1-1, Hp2-1 and Hp 2-2) and susceptibility to DN development is haptoglobin phenotype type dependent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of Hp gene polymorphism and MA in type 2 diabetic patient attending some selected hospital in Kano State, Nigeria. <bold>Method</bold> : The study recruited 84 normotensive type 2 diabetic patients with and without MA and 84 age and sex matched apparently healthy individuals. Plasma glucose, urea, creatinine, Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary creatinine, urinary albumin and microalbuinuria were analysed from the samples. Polymerase chain reaction was done to determne the haptoglobin phenotypes. Statistical anaylysis was done using SPSS version 25.0. <bold>Result</bold> : Comparison of anthropometric and biochemical parameter between the Haptoglobin phenotype groups shows no statistical significance except for ACR. A prevalence of 20.2%, 34.6% and 45.2% were observed for the Hp1-1 Hp2-1 and Hp2-2 respectively. Hp1-1 and Hp2-1 were found not to be risk factors for the development of MA among diabetic patients. However, Hp2-2 was found to be a risk factor for the development of MA among diabetic patients. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The study found that Hp1–1, Hp2–1, and Hp2–2 haptoglobin genotypes are present among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hp1–1 and Hp2–1 were not associated with microalbuminuria, whereas the Hp2–2 genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of microalbuminuria, indicating its potential role as a genetic risk factor for early diabetic nephropathy. </p>