The cytochrome P450 2D6*10 genetic polymorphism alters postoperative analgesia

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6*10 genetic polymorphism on postoperative patient-controlled morphine usage. A total of 114 patients were selected, and 102 patients completed the study. Polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the CYP2D6*10 genotype, and patients were categorized into three groups according to CYP2D6 genotype: heterozygous (m/w), wild-type homozygous (w/w), and mutant homozygous (m/m). Total morphine usage and visual analogue score (VAS) were determined 72 hours after the operation and compared across the three genotype groups. Statistical methods used to analyze results were the χ(2) test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis; P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The cumulative use of morphine in the m/w group was significantly higher than that in the m/m group between T0.5 and T4h (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the loading dose of morphine or VAS among the different genotypes within 72 hours of operation. Patients carrying the CYP2D6*10 m/w genotype required higher doses of morphine at T0.5~T4h compared to the m/m group, and therefore received a higher cumulative dose of morphine post-operation. This phenomenon may be due to a decreased ability to synthesize endogenous opioid peptide.