The Influence of CYP2B6 Variants and Administration of Propofol on Patient Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury

Management of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) typically involves the use of sedation, which inherently results in benefits and risks. The cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2B6 is involved in the biotransformation of particular drug classes, including many intravenous sedatives. Variants of the CYP2B6 gene can lead to decreased systemic clearance of some sedatives, including propofol. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of CYP2B6 gene variation and patient outcomes after TBI while also considering propofol administration. Patients who sustained a non-penetrating sTBI and admitted to a single-center Level 1 trauma hospital were included in this study (n = 440). The *6 functional allele of CYP2B6 that leads to reduced enzyme expression and activity required genotyping two single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs3745274 and rs2279343. Patient outcomes were evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) at 3 and 6 months post-injury. Data on sedative administration were abstracted from medical records. Individuals homozygous for the alleles coding for the reduced enzyme expression and activity were more likely to have worse outcomes. A relationship between propofol administration and 3-month GOS and 6-month DRS was noted when controlling for CYP2B6 genotype. These findings suggest that genetic variation in CYP2B6 may influence the impact of intravenous sedation on patient outcomes after TBI and warrants further investigation.