Do Polymorphisms Predict Hypnotherapy Response in Children With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders: An Explorative...

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Pediatrics
• Psychology

Background:

• Specific gene polymorphisms (COMT, OPRM1, MAO-A) are linked to hypnotizability in adults.
• Hypnotherapy (HT) shows efficacy for functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) in children.
• The genetic basis for HT response in pediatric FAPD remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between COMT, OPRM1, and MAO-A gene polymorphisms and hypnotherapy treatment success in children with FAPD.
• To explore potential links between these polymorphisms and secondary outcomes like pain relief, anxiety, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory study involving 144 pediatric patients (8-18 years) with FAPD from a prior HT trial.
• Buccal samples collected for genotyping of COMT, OPRM1, and MAO-A polymorphisms.
• Analysis of associations between genotypes and treatment success after 3-month HT, along with secondary outcome measures.

Main Results:

• No significant associations were found between variations in COMT, MAO-A, and OPRM1 polymorphisms and treatment success (TS) in pediatric FAPD patients.
• These genetic polymorphisms did not predict adequate relief, anxiety, depression, quality of life, somatization, hypnotic susceptibility, expectations, pain beliefs, or coping strategies.

Conclusions:

• COMT, OPRM1, and MAO-A gene polymorphisms do not appear to be predictors of hypnotherapy response in pediatric patients diagnosed with functional abdominal pain disorders.
• Further research may be needed to identify genetic or other factors influencing hypnotherapy outcomes in this population.