8 Variations in COMT Gene Are Not Associated with Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Multicenter Collaborative Proof of Concept Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Variant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene have previously been associated with pain thresholds, resiliency, and cognitive functioning. Known colloquially as the “warrior/worrier” gene, the GG variant is associated with higher resilience whereas the AA variant is associated with lower resilience. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of correlating a genomic data repository with multicenter national longitudinal burn data. Methods From August 2018 to July 2020, participant cheek swabs were collected in-person or by mail at three burn centers and sent to the lead center for DNA isolation and storage. COMT SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SNP data were merged with a multicenter burn database. Outcomes of interest included the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), Veterans RAND 12 (VR-12) physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) measure, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Follow-up data were obtained at 6 months post-discharge. We used a Kruskal-Wallis test to determine associations between COMT SNPs and outcomes. Results Of the 126 cheek swabs obtained, DNA was successfully isolated from 124 swabs, and PCR SNP analysis was successful for 111 swabs. The distribution of COMT SNPs in our study population was consistent with the general population. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed no association between COMT SNPs and patient outcomes. Median PTGI scores trended toward significance, but in the opposite direction than predicted for COMT genotypes. Conclusions A national longitudinal database can be feasibly supplemented by a genomic data repository. Variation in the COMT gene did not correlate with health-related quality of life measures examined in a small cohort of burn survivors. Lack of statistical significance can be attributed to small sample size.