Objectives: Results from the published studies on the association of ADRA2A (adrenoceptor alpha 2A) variants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are conflicting and call for further assessment. The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantitatively summarize the effects of the two recently reported ADRA2A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs553668 and rs10885122 on T2D risk. Design and methods: We searched all the publications about the association between the ADRA2A SNPs and T2D from PubMed and ISI database updated on September 2012. Meta-analysis of the overall odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated by using the software STATA 11.0. Results: Twelve studies with 40,828 subjects from seven eligible papers were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the present meta-analysis failed to support a positive association between ADRA2A SNPs (rs553668 and rs10885122) and susceptibility to T2D (OR = 1.05, p = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.12; and OR = 1.06, p = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.13; respectively). However, in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the significant association between rs553668 and the risk of T2D was obtained in Europeans under the recessive genetic model (OR = 1.36, p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.76). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that the AA genotype of rs553668 in ADRA2A might be a genetic risk factor that increases 12D susceptibility in Europeans. However, rs10885122 was unlikely substantially contribute to T2D susceptibility. (c) 2013 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.