The most-studied common disease there is, and the one where the gap between what genetics found and what changes an outcome is widest. Hundreds of positions are associated with type 2 diabetes; together they predict less about who develops it than a waist measurement and a family history do.
Why this topic Continuous glucose monitors put a number people used to see once a year in front of them every few minutes, and the question that follows is always whether the number is theirs by inheritance. Mostly it is not: the same genes have been in the population throughout a period when the disease became several times more common.
Source: Mahajan et al., Nature Genetics 2018 — fine-mapping of type 2 diabetes loci
Solid lines are connections this site curates. Dashed lines mean the two ends share a research paper — worth knowing, and not a claim that one explains the other.
Counted in Europe PMC, where the title or abstract names both this topic and that rsID. The number is papers, not evidence of a cause.
FTO
Menarche (age at onset)
95 papers →KCNQ1
Type 2 diabetes
73 papers →FTO
Type 2 diabetes
65 papers →GCKR
Uric acid levels
64 papers →TCF7L2
Type 2 diabetes
46 papers →MTHFR
Folate metabolism (MTHFR C677T)
34 papers →KCNQ1
Type 2 diabetes
31 papers →IGF2BP2
Type 2 diabetes
27 papers →GCK
Glycated hemoglobin levels
27 papers →G6PC2
Fasting plasma glucose
27 papers →JAZF1
Type 2 diabetes
26 papers →FTO
Obesity
25 papers →APOE
Lewy body disease
23 papers →ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
21 papers →KCNJ11
Type 2 diabetes
21 papers →MC4R
Waist circumference and related phenotypes
19 papers →ATM
Response to metformin in type 2 diabetes (glycemic)
18 papers →BDNF
Smoking behavior
18 papers →THADA
Type 2 diabetes
17 papers →APOA5
Triglyceride levels
16 papers →ADCY5
Body mass index and fasting glucose (pairwise)
15 papers →LGR5
Type 2 diabetes
15 papers →GNPDA2
Obesity
13 papers →SLC30A8
Proinsulin levels
13 papers →AGER
Pulmonary function
13 papers →GC
Vitamin D levels
13 papers →MCM6 / LCT
Lactose tolerance
13 papers →ICAM1
Soluble ICAM-1
13 papers →IL29
Chronic hepatitis C infection
13 papers →NOTCH2
Type 2 diabetes
12 papers →GIPR
Obesity
12 papers →ALDH2
Alcohol flush reaction
12 papers →GIPR
Obesity
11 papers →CENTD2
Type 2 diabetes
11 papers →MTHFR
Folate metabolism (MTHFR A1298C)
11 papers →PROX1
Psoriasis or type 2 diabetes (trans-disease meta-analysis)(opposite effect)
11 papers →FTH1
Plasma omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (linoleic acid)
10 papers →ABCA1
HDL cholesterol
10 papers →ZNF259
Triglyceride levels
10 papers →FTO
Obesity
9 papers →KCNQ1
Type 2 diabetes
9 papers →SLCO1B1
Statin muscle-side-effect risk
9 papers →GRK5
Type 2 diabetes
8 papers →PCSK1
Proinsulin levels
8 papers →CYP1A2
Caffeine metabolism
8 papers →VEGFA
Thyroid hormone levels
8 papers →ADH1B
Alcohol metabolism speed
7 papers →C12orf51
Renal function-related traits (BUN)
7 papers →APOE
LDL cholesterol
7 papers →LPA
Cholesterol, total
6 papers →TGFB1
Colorectal cancer
6 papers →HNF4A
C-reactive protein levels
6 papers →SLC30A8
Type 2 diabetes
6 papers →CDKAL1
Type 2 diabetes
6 papers →DUSP9
Type 2 diabetes
6 papers →FTO
Obesity-related traits
6 papers →LPA
Parental lifespan (LPA, lipoprotein(a))
5 papers →MTCH2
Body mass index
5 papers →ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
5 papers →ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
5 papers →FADS1
Metabolite levels
5 papers →HLA-DQA2
Crohn's disease
5 papers →NPPB
B-type natriuretic peptide levels
5 papers →CETP
HDL cholesterol
5 papers →EDN1
Circulating vasoactive peptide levels
5 papers →APOB
Cholesterol, total
5 papers →IRS1
Modified Stumvoll Insulin Sensitivity Index (model adjusted for BMI)
5 papers →NCAN
LDL cholesterol
4 papers →G6PD
G6PD deficiency (G6PD A-)
4 papers →CDC123
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →ADIPOQ
Adiponectin levels
4 papers →HFE
Iron overload risk (hereditary hemochromatosis)
4 papers →LPL
Metabolic syndrome
4 papers →AGR3
Urinary albumin excretion
4 papers →ANKRD55
Waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index
4 papers →HNF4A
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →near MC4R
Childhood obesity
4 papers →TMEM154
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →HNF1A
Type 2 diabetes
4 papers →NRXN3
Waist circumference
3 papers →COBLL1
Triglycerides
3 papers →KCNV2
Vascular endothelial growth factor levels
3 papers →ZFAND6
Type 2 diabetes
3 papers →SLC2A9
Urate levels
3 papers →MYL2
Alcohol consumption
3 papers →TERC
Telomere length
3 papers →ZFP36L2
Polycystic ovary syndrome
3 papers →FAF1
Type 2 diabetes
3 papers →FADS1
HDL cholesterol
3 papers →FADS2
QT interval
3 papers →HFE
Iron overload risk (HFE H63D)
3 papers →LEPR
C-reactive protein
3 papers →ARID3B
Caffeine metabolism (plasma 1,7-dimethylxanthine (paraxanthine) to 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (caffeine) ratio)
3 papers →PCSK9
LDL cholesterol
3 papers →IRS1
Triglycerides
3 papers →CCR5
HIV-1 resistance (CCR5-delta32)
3 papers →LRP5
Bone mineral density
3 papers →ACE
Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity
3 papers →GALNT2
HDL cholesterol
3 papers →GHSR
Height
3 papers →IGF2BP2
Type 2 diabetes
3 papers →SFRS10
Body mass index
3 papers →GCKR
Crohn's disease
3 papers →UGT1A1
Bilirubin levels
3 papers →CDKAL1
Body mass index
3 papers →TFAP2B
Adiposity
3 papers →FN3K
Glycated hemoglobin levels
2 papers →GLIS3
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →DENND1A
Polycystic ovary syndrome
2 papers →CDKN2A
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →LINGO2
Obesity
2 papers →IL23R
Crohn's disease
2 papers →HNF1A
C-reactive protein levels
2 papers →DOCK7
Triglycerides
2 papers →CNNM2
Intracranial aneurysm
2 papers →MCTP2
Type 1 diabetes nephropathy
2 papers →ZMIZ1
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →KCNQ1
QT interval
2 papers →CELSR2
LDL cholesterol
2 papers →MC1R
Hair color
2 papers →SLC2A9
Urate levels
2 papers →COBLL1
Waist-hip ratio
2 papers →CUBN
Urinary albumin excretion
2 papers →c10orf107
Diastolic blood pressure
2 papers →HK1
Hemoglobin
2 papers →PHB
Diastolic blood pressure
2 papers →CYP3A4
Metabolic traits
2 papers →SHROOM3
Renal function and chronic kidney disease
2 papers →NPPA
Systolic blood pressure
2 papers →KIAA0825
Diabetic retinopathy
2 papers →BCO2
Interleukin-18 levels
2 papers →IFIH1
Type 1 diabetes
2 papers →HPR
LDL cholesterol
2 papers →HDAC9
Stroke (ischemic)
2 papers →MAP2K5
Body mass index
2 papers →ATG16L1
Crohn's disease
2 papers →GIPR
Body mass index
2 papers →CETP
HDL cholesterol
2 papers →LYPLAL1
Adiposity
2 papers →LEF1
Metabolic traits
2 papers →RABEP2
Inflammatory bowel disease
2 papers →ATP2B1
Hypertension
2 papers →PARVB
Hematological and biochemical traits
2 papers →TRIB1
Triglycerides
2 papers →ICAM-1
Soluble levels of adhesion molecules
2 papers →LPA
Coronary heart disease
2 papers →POU2AF3
Colorectal cancer
2 papers →CAV1
PR interval
2 papers →MLXIPL
Triglycerides
2 papers →ADAMTS7
Coronary heart disease
2 papers →APOC2
Triglycerides
2 papers →SGSM2
Schizophrenia
2 papers →GGT1
Liver enzyme levels
2 papers →CYP2C19
CYP2C19 *3 — clopidogrel activation
2 papers →ABO
Pancreatic cancer
2 papers →MBOAT7
Cirrhosis (alcohol related)
2 papers →LDLR
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and mass
2 papers →HSD17B13
Liver enzyme levels (alanine transaminase)
2 papers →PVRL2
Dementia and core Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic changes
2 papers →POU5F1B
Prostate cancer
2 papers →CSNK2A2
Telomere length
2 papers →AFF3
Type 1 diabetes nephropathy
2 papers →CYP3A5
CYP3A5 expression (*3 allele)
2 papers →JAZF1
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →FTO
Type 2 diabetes
2 papers →PITX2
Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter
1 paper →CDKN2A
Breast cancer
1 paper →NFE2L3
Waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index
1 paper →APOB
Triglycerides
1 paper →HMGA2
Head circumference (infant)
1 paper →LIPC
HDL cholesterol
1 paper →FN3K
Glycated hemoglobin levels
1 paper →CPS1
Plasma homocysteine levels (post-methionine load test)
1 paper →C6orf57
Type 2 diabetes
1 paper →TNFAIP3
Rheumatoid arthritis
1 paper →near RBPJ
Type 1 diabetes
1 paper →LIG3
QT interval
1 paper →PGPEP1
Growth differentiation factor-15 levels
1 paper →NFE2L3
Waist-hip ratio
1 paper →GATA3
Colorectal cancer
1 paper →LPA
HDL cholesterol
1 paper →BDNF
Body mass index
1 paper →TRAFD1
Hemoglobin
1 paper →ACAD10
Esophageal cancer
1 paper →INHBC
Urate levels
1 paper →HHEX
Multiple sclerosis
1 paper →NT5C2
Systolic blood pressure
1 paper →TPMT
TPMT *3C — thiopurine tolerance
1 paper →MUC19
Crohn's disease
1 paper →CAV1/2
Atrial fibrillation
1 paper →STAT4
Systemic lupus erythematosus
1 paper →NOS1AP
QT interval
1 paper →FTO
Body mass index (SNP x SNP interaction)
1 paper →SHBG
Testosterone levels
1 paper →IRF4
Freckling & sun sensitivity
1 paper →near PLXDC2
Diabetic retinopathy
1 paper →APOC3
Triglycerides
1 paper →NTRK2
Birth weight
1 paper →GPRC5B
Obesity
1 paper →ZFP36L2
Polycystic ovary syndrome
1 paper →HHIP
Pulmonary function
1 paper →PHACTR1
Coronary heart disease
1 paper →KIAA0350
Type 1 diabetes
1 paper →RASD1
Coronary heart disease
1 paper →ACBD4
Systolic blood pressure
1 paper →CADM2
Obesity
1 paper →NUCB2
Height
1 paper →LINGO2
Obesity
1 paper →CUBN
Urinary albumin excretion
1 paper →KCNK9
Menarche (age at onset)
1 paper →THNSL2
Visceral fat
1 paper →near SCG5
Colorectal cancer
1 paper →SC4MOL
Insulin-related traits
1 paper →MSRB3
Hippocampal volume
1 paper →ATP2B1
Blood pressure
1 paper →CASR
Calcium levels
1 paper →CETP
HDL Cholesterol - Triglycerides (HDLC-TG)
1 paper →CXCL12
Myocardial infarction (early onset)
1 paper →GOSR2
QRS duration
1 paper →BHMT2
Metabolite levels
1 paper →ICAM1
Soluble ICAM-1
1 paper →OPRM1
Opioid receptor sensitivity
1 paper →ACTN3
Muscle fiber type ("sprinter gene")
1 paper →ACADS
Metabolite levels
1 paper →LIPC
Lipid traits
1 paper →HMGA1
Body mass index
1 paper →OAS3
Alcohol consumption
1 paper →CYP7A1
Cholesterol, total
1 paper →IL6
C-reactive protein
1 paper →PHB2
Red blood cell fatty acid levels
1 paper →C5orf37
Obesity
1 paper →BCO2
Interleukin-18 levels
1 paper →ELOVL2
Plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (docosahexaenoic acid)
1 paper →MLXIPL
Triglycerides
1 paper →TERT
Prostate cancer
1 paper →ADAM19
Pulmonary function
1 paper →PLCB1
Colorectal cancer
1 paper →PTPN2
Crohn's disease
1 paper →ADAM30
Crohn's disease
1 paper →FTH1
Plasma omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (linoleic acid)
1 paper →ZDHHC11
Pancreatic cancer
1 paper →TERT
Lung adenocarcinoma
1 paper →LRP1B
Body mass index
1 paper →KIAA0350
Type 1 diabetes
1 paper →IL10
Ulcerative colitis
1 paper →HLA-DPA1
Hepatitis B
1 paper →NEGR1
Obesity
1 paper →SLC18A1
Triglycerides
1 paper →TCF7L2
Psoriasis or type 2 diabetes (trans-disease meta-analysis)
1 paper →CYP19A1
Height
1 paper →G6PC2
Glycated hemoglobin levels
1 paper →NRTN
N-glycan levels
1 paper →STAT4
Systemic sclerosis
1 paper →NADSYN1
Vitamin D levels
1 paper →CSF3
White blood cell count
1 paper →CYP2C19
CYP2C19 *2 — clopidogrel activation
1 paper →MERTK
Hepatitis C induced liver fibrosis
1 paper →C9orf3
Atrial fibrillation
1 paper →ASAP1
Tuberculosis
1 paper →LRP1
Colorectal cancer or advanced adenoma
1 paper →LIPC
Triglycerides
1 paper →TUFM
Body fat percentage
1 paper →RPL27A
Body mass index
1 paper →RAP1A
Osteoporosis-related phenotypes
1 paper →SLC22A12
Urate levels
1 paper →SEC16B
Body mass index
1 paper →ABO
Soluble E-selectin levels
1 paper →FUT2
Pediatric autoimmune diseases
1 paper →SCD
Metabolic traits
1 paper →FURIN
Trauma exposure
1 paper →WIF1
Hippocampal volume
1 paper →UGT1A1
Bilirubin levels
1 paper →RREB1
Urate levels
1 paper →NISCH
Waist-hip ratio
1 paper →EDNRA
Intracranial aneurysm
1 paper →GLUT9
Urate levels
1 paper →CPEB4
Waist-hip ratio
1 paper →AHR
Coffee consumption
1 paper →DAB2IP
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
1 paper →MIR1307
Schizophrenia
1 paper →TAS2R38
Bitter taste perception (PTC/PROP tasting)
1 paper →SCGN
Uric acid levels
1 paper →CELSR2
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and mass
1 paper →RBM43
Type 2 diabetes
1 paper →MLXIPL
Coffee consumption (cups per day)
1 paper →MSRA
Adiposity
1 paper →ATP11A
Glycated hemoglobin levels
1 paper →CFH
Circulating myeloperoxidase levels (serum)
1 paper →RHOU
Basal cell carcinoma
1 paper →JAZF1
Type 2 diabetes
1 paper →PROCR
Anticoagulant levels
1 paper →PGPEP1
Growth differentiation factor-15 levels
1 paper →HLA-DPB1
Hepatitis B (viral clearance)
1 paper →NKX2-1
Thyroid cancer
1 paper →URAD
Pancreatic cancer
1 paper →FTO
Obesity (extreme)
1 paper →Europe PMC, title and abstract only, searched for “type 2 diabetes”, “fasting glucose”, “insulin resistance”, “glycated hemoglobin” alongside each published rsID. Full text was not counted: it returns every paper with an rsID buried in a supplementary table. Recounted monthly.