Background and Objectives: Recent studies have focused on the association between the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the rs1501299 and rs2241766 polymorphisms of the ADIPOQ gene; however, their results remain inconclusive. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to clarify the role of these polymorphisms in the development of DR. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) was conducted until 25 June 2024, and a reference list of relevant articles was collected, which explored the association between the rs1501299 and rs2241766 polymorphisms of the ADIPOQ gene and the risk of DR. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated via random-effects model, and the meta-analysis was implemented by using Review Manager 5.4. Results: In total, 6 out of 182 studies, with 1888 cases (DR) and 2285 controls (without DR), were included in the meta-analysis. A statistically significant association between the rs1501299 polymorphism and the DR risk was recorded in G vs. T in the overall analysis (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.99, p = <0.05, I-2 = 23%, n = 5 studies). Additionally, the summary results in the subgroup analysis according to the control type were as follows: the DR versus diabetes mellitus (DM) control type revealed a statistically significant association in G vs. T: OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.67-0.97, p = <0.05, I-2 = 27%, n = 4 studies; GG vs. GT: OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.53-0.98, p = <0.05, I-2 = 49%, n = 4 studies; GG vs. (GT + TT): OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55-0.96, p = <0.05, I-2 = 44%, n = 4 studies. No significant association was observed between the rs2241766 polymorphism and the DR risk. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis supports the association between the rs1501299 polymorphism of the ADIPOQ gene and the DR risk in patients with DM.
