No association between chronic musculoskeletal complaints and Val158Met polymorphism in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene. The HUNT Study
Abstract
Background: The Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene contains a functional
polymorphism, Val158Met, that has been found to influence human pain perception. In one study
fibromyalgia was less likely among those with Val/Val genotype.
Methods: In the 1995–97 Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), the association between Val/
Met polymorphism at the COMT gene and chronic musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) was
evaluated in a random sample of 3017 individuals.
Results: The distribution of the COMT Val158Met genotypes and alleles were similar between
controls and the twelve different chronic MSCs groups. Even when the Met/Met and Val/Met
genotypes were pooled, the distribution of the Val/Val genotype and other genotypes were similar
between controls and the chronic MSCs groups.
Conclusion: In this population-based study, no significant association was found between Val/Met
polymorphism at the COMT gene and chronic MSCs.