RT  - Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache
ID  - 10.11607/ofph.2641
T1  - Effect of Genetic Polymorphisms on Pain Sensitivity in the Orofacial Region: A Systematic Review
A1  - Flávia Fonseca Carvalho Soares
A1  - Rodrigo Lorenzi Poluha
A1  - Giancarlo De la Torre Canales
A1  - Yuri Martins Costa
A1  - Gustavo G. Nascimento
A1  - Paulo César Rodrigues Conti
A1  - Leonardo Rigoldi Bonjardim
K1  - chronic pain; genetic polymorphism; orofacial region; pain sensitivity; quantitative sensory testing
YR  - 2020
SP  - 353
AB  - <p><b>Aims: </b>To systematically review the literature to assess whether genetic polymorphisms affect orofacial pain sensitivity in healthy individuals and in patients with chronic orofacial pain disorders. <b>Methods: </b>Electronic searches were conducted to identify observational studies and clinical trials investigating the association between genetic polymorphisms and orofacial pain sensitivity in healthy individuals and/or patients with chronic orofacial pain disorders. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases using Medical Subject Headings and free terms. <b>Results:</b> Seven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria: four analyzed healthy subjects, two included chronic orofacial pain patients, and one included samples of healthy subjects and patients with neuropathic pain. The results showed that genes associated with mechanical and thermal pain sensitivity were mostly related to opioid, catecholaminergic, inflammatory, and dopaminergic pathways. <b>Conclusion:</b> Genetic polymorphisms related to opioid, catecholaminergic, inflammatory, and dopaminergic pathways were associated with sensitivity to thermal and pressure stimuli in the orofacial region. Therefore, genetic factors should be taken into account for an accurate interpretation of orofacial pain sensitivity. These results will allow for a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of chronic pain affecting the orofacial region, and consequently for finding new therapeutic targets.</p>