Effects of Polymorphisms in the Serotonin Transporter Promoter-Linked Polymorphic Region on Postthoracotomy Pain Severity

• Main Authors: Kimura A, Yamasaki H, Ishii H, Yoshida H, Shimizu M, Mori T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-05-01
• Series: Journal of Pain Research
• Subjects: 5-httlpr; pain modulation; numerical rating scale
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-polymorphisms-in-the-serotonin-transporter-promoter-linked--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPR

Aya Kimura,1 Hiroyuki Yamasaki,1 Haruka Ishii,2 Hisako Yoshida,2 Motoko Shimizu,3 Takashi Mori1 1Department of Anesthesiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan; 2Department of Medical Statistics, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan; 3Department of Anesthesiology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka City, Osaka, JapanCorrespondence: Aya KimuraDepartment of Anesthesiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-7 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, 545-8586, JapanTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: Serotonin (5-HT) is highly associated with pain modulation. The human 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) gene (SLC6A4) features several polymorphisms in its promoter region (5-HTTLPR) that affect the 5-HTT expression. The S allele of 5-HTTLPR induces low 5-HT tone, and it may influence the modulation of chronic pain. Meanwhile, pain occurs in 40– 50% of patients after thoracic surgery, and its mechanism remains under investigation. This study assessed the role of 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms in postthoracotomy pain severity.Patients and Methods: A total of 178 patients undergoing pneumonectomy were enrolled. The genotypes of 5-HTTLPR were divided into two groups: S/S group and S/L or L/L group. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between 5-HTTLPR genotypes and the numerical rating scale (NRS) score change over time.Results: Among the participants, data were obtained for 162 patients. The genotype distribution was as follows: S/S, 67.3%; S/L or L/L, 32.7%. No significant difference in patient characteristics was found between the genotype groups. There was no significant interaction between the 5-HTTLPR genotypes and the NRS score change over time (p = 0.842).Conclusion: Polymorphisms in 5-HTTLPR were not associated with postthoracotomy pain severity.Keywords: 5-HTTLPR, pain modulation, numerical rating scale