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Published on: April 20, 2019
Association of Peripheral Serum MicroRNAs With Persistent Phantom Limb Pain in Individuals With Amputation
Manish Bhomia1, Nagaraja Balakathiresan, Min Zhai
1From the Center for Rehabilitation Sciences Research, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland (MB, MH, PP, JT); The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland (MB, NB, MZ, MH); Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland (MB, NB, BK-R); University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (AA-M); University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California (MT, SF); Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (BP); Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada (WH); Dalhousie University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada (CO); University Neurosciences-University Health Care System, Augusta, Georgia (SH); Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland (MH, PP); Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (JT); and Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (JT).
Objective:
Individuals with major limb amputation(s) frequently experience phantom limb sensations, which are described as vivid impressions of either parts or entire missing limb(s). Despite the high incidence and prevalence of phantom limb pain, the underlying pathophysiology of phantom limb pain remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate a possible role of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of phantom limb pain.
Design:
Adults with acquired limb amputation and varying degrees of phantom limb pain consented to provide clinical data and blood samples. One hundred forty participants with single or multiple limb amputation(s) were enrolled. The Visual analog scale and neuropathic pain symptom inventory were administered to evaluate the pain. Serum samples were analyzed for microRNA expression and bioinformatic analysis was performed.
Results:
Sixty-seven participants did not experience phantom limb pain, whereas 73 participants experienced varying severities of phantom limb pain measured on a pain scale. Linear regression analysis suggested that the time since amputation is inversely related to severity of the pain. A significantly increased expression of 16 microRNAs was observed in participants experiencing phantom limb pain. Bioinformatic analysis shows a possible role of these microRNAs in regulating genes expressed in peripheral neuropathy.
Conclusions:
This study provides the first evidence of association of microRNA in phantom limb pain.
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