CCR5Δ32 genotype is associated with outcome in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AimsTo test whether the genetic variant CCR5Δ32 in the CC-chemokine receptor 5, which is known to lead to CCR5 deficiency, is associated with mortality in type 2 diabetes patients.MethodsWe examined the effect of presence or absence of the CCR5Δ32 on overall and cardiovascular mortality risk in the Zwolle Outpatient Diabetes project Integrating Available Care (ZODIAC) cohort, a type 2 diabetes patient cohort.ResultsWe studied 756 patients with a mean duration of follow-up of 5.4 (± 1.4) years. 194 patients died during follow up of which 83 were cardiovascular deaths. 144 subjects (19%) carried the CCR5Δ32 deletion. CCR5Δ32 carriers had an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.62 (95%CI: 0.40–0.96; p = 0.03) for all-cause mortality and 0.63 (95%CI: 0.33–1.19; p = 0.16) for cardiovascular mortality.ConclusionsThe presence of CCR5Δ32 is associated with better survival in type 2 diabetes patients. These data suggest that it is worthwhile to explore the protective potential of pharmacological blockade of CCR5 in type 2 diabetic patients.