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[How can we cope with wide individual variations in pain intensity and opioid requirements after surgery?]
Masakazu Hayashida1, Koichi Maruyama
1Department of Anesthesiology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka 350-1298.
Abstract:
Intensity of postoperative pain and postoperative analgesic requirements are widely varied among patients. The most determinant significant aspect of postoperative pain is the site and type of surgery. For example, open abdominal surgery usually causes intense postoperative pain. Even in patients after the same type of surgery, however, there are wide individual variations in pain intensity and analgesic requirements. A variety of environmental factors can lead to such differences. In addition, genetic factors also can contribute to such differences. For example, a single nucleotide polymorphism A118G of human micro-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) may decrease analgesic efficacy of opioids and increase postoperative opioid requirements. Full elucidation of genetic factors that can affect pain sensitivity and/or opioid sensitivity may open new avenues for personalized pain treatment.
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