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Pain is a major global challenge, impacting both personal well-being and society. In terms of mechanisms, pain is not one thing, multiple factors contribute. Research in pain medicine already identified certain contributing factors, such as feeling anxious or undergoing surgery with substantial tissue trauma. Recent research suggests that genetics might also play a role in pain experience and response to treatment. While some candidate genes like COMT and OPRM1 have been studied, newer methods like genome-wide association studies (GWAS) offer promising ways to screen the whole genome to identify additional genes.
To better understand the underlying genetic mechanisms of pain, researcher Song Li systematically reviewed 57 articles using GWAS to identify genes linked to pain in humans. Thirty genes/genomic regions were reported more than once. Six of these genes were also reported in the pain candidate genetic databases (the Human Pain Genetics Database and Mouse Pain Genetics Database), mainly involved in neurological functions and inflammation.
This study provides an overview of potential genetic risk factors for pain, and suggests that multiple genetic factors can influence pain susceptibility. Especially neuronal and immunological mechanisms seem important. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the genetic background and the underlying biological mechanisms of pain. To interpret their findings in the context of patient and clinical risk factors, Song and Marieke Coenen closely collaborate with colleagues from the Expertise center Pain and Palliative Medicine, Kris Vissers and Rianne van Boekel. Together, they link research findings to clinical application to improve pain management for the benefit of our patients. Results of the genetics study are published in Pain on Sep 1.
This study is part of an ongoing collaboration between the departments of Human Genetics and Expertise center Pain and Palliative Medicine. To understand the biological mechanisms leading to pain, both departments have set up the Pain Predict Genetics (PPG) study, a prospective observational study aiming to include 10,000 patients to identify risk factors for postoperative pain and to build and evaluate prediction models for postoperative pain.
Read the publication here
Li S, Brimmers A, van Boekel RLM, Vissers KCP, Coenen MJH. A systematic review of genome-wide association studies for pain, nociception, neuropathy, and pain treatment responses. Pain. 2023 Sep 1;164(9):1891-1911. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002910. Epub 2023 May 5. PMID: 37144689; PMCID: PMC10436363.
