Candidate gene association study suggests potential role of dopamine beta-hydroxylase in pain heterogeneity in sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pain is a lifelong companion of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and has a severe impact on their quality of life. Both acute crisis pain and chronic non-crisis pain exhibit high variability between individuals, making it difficult to effectively manage sickle cell-related pain. We investigated the role of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) gene polymorphisms on pain variability in SCD. DBH is a key enzyme in the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway that catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, both of which are known mediators of pain and pain-related behaviors. Methods: Acute crisis pain-related utilization and non-crisis chronic pain scores of 131 African Americans with SCD were obtained. Results and discussion: Association analyses

SUBMITTER: Sadhu N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10296203 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature