Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphism and vulvar pain in women with vulvodynia

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 216; no. 4; pp. 395.e1 - 395.e6
• Main Authors: Patanwala, Insiyyah Y., Lamvu, Georgine, Ledger, William J., Witzeman, Kathryn, Marvel, Richard, Rapkin, Andrea, Bongiovanni, Ann Marie, Feranec, Jessica, Witkin, Steven S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Alleles; Case-Control Studies; Catechol O-Methyltransferase - genetics; catechol-O-methyltransferase; Cohort Studies; COMT; Female; Gene Frequency; gene polymorphism; Genotype; Humans; Obstetrics and Gynecology; pain sensitivity; Pain Threshold; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; United States; vestibulodynia; vulvodynia; Vulvodynia - genetics; catechol-O-methyltransferase; vestibulodynia; gene polymorphism; vulvodynia; pain sensitivity; COMT; catechol- O-methyltransferase

The underlying causes of vulvar pain in women with vulvodynia remain poorly understood. Catechol-O-methyltransferase, an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines, is a neuromodulator that is involved with perception and sensitivity to pain. The catechol-O-methyltransferase gene is polymorphic, and a s...