Farmacogenomics and pain

Abstract

Currently, chronic pain studies are gaining high evidence, outcoming the increased incidence of oncologic and osteoarticular degenerative disorders. Pain perception is a complex multifactoral process which is still not completely known. Genetic factors are related to the susceptibility to develop some chronic pain conditions and, furthermore, to drug metabolism, being responsible for different reactions to therapy among individuals. In this review the author discusses the novel and recent knowledge in pain management. It is also stressed out the significance of pharmacogenomic studies either in the diversity of reaction to pain therapy or in the underlying causes of different chronic conditions. Pharmacogenomics is an imperative field in pain research and there have been major achievements during the last years related to increased knowledge and technological progression. A pharmacogenomics approach will contribute significantly to a new perspective on pain management and future directions point towards a more detailed medical diagnosis and an adjusted prescription with better accomplishments. The most promising genes for pharmacogenomic analysis of pain are COMT, OPRM1, CYP450, MC1R and SLC6A4, according to the existing facts and to the knowledge of pain physiology. Pharmacogenomics approach represents a powerful tool to the management of both chronic and acute pain, in order to improve patients’ quality of life.