Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential and Risk of Microvascular Complications Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cohort Study

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is an age-related disorder that is associated with macrovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and stroke. However, the effects of CHIP on microvascular complication have not been explored in individuals with type 2 diabetes. We wanted to determine whether CHIP is associated with diabetic microvascular complications (DMCs). CHIP was associated with a high risk of DMCs, specifically, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic kidney disease, but not diabetic neuropathy. Gene-specific analyses suggested that some driver genes were associated with risk of developing DMCs. These findings indicated that CHIP may represent a novel risk factor for DMCs among individuals with type 2 diabetes, distinct from traditional risk factors, which may have implications for prevention and management of DMCs.