Schutte, AlettaVan der Merwe, AnnelizeOlckers, AntonelTowers, G WSchutte, AlettaVan der Merwe, AnnelizeOlckers, AntonelTowers, G.W.2010-08-042010-08-042009Schutte, A. et al. 2009. Global meta-analysis of the C-11377G alteration in the ADIPOQ gene indicates the presence of population-specific effects: challenge for global health initiatives. Pharmacogenomics Journal, 9(1):42-48, Mar. [http://www.nature.com/tpj/index.html]1470-269X1473-1150 (Online)http://hdl.handle.net/10394/3347http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/tpj.2008.2Type II diabetes mellitus is currently globally one of the fastest growing non- communicable diseases, especially in developing countries. This investigation reports on a meta-analysis undertaken of the C-11377G locus within the adiponectin gene in a black South African, a Cuban Hispanic and a German Caucasian cohort. Genotyping was performed via a real-time PCR strategy. Both fixed- and random-effects models were tested to describe the diabetes risk at both the cohort and population levels. The 2, 2 genotype may only be associated with increased diabetes risk in the Cuban Hispanic cohort. Population-specific effects may have masked these associations upon meta-analytical analysis, as no significant odds ratio could be determined. Thus, to examine diabetes risk, a more global approach including the design of population-specific experimental strategies should be used, which will be crucial in developing health education and policies in a global health programme.