Linking Epigenomics With Prescription Opioid Abuse and High Impact Musculoskeletal Pain

Over 19 million adults suffer with chronic pain, which frequently limits life or work activities. Many of these patients are chronic prescription opioid consumers and may be at risk for opioid use disorder. Genetic variability of genes related to pain physiology and opioid pharmacodynamics may influence susceptibility to high-impact chronic musculoskeletal pain (HICMP), opioid efficacy, and vulnerability to opioid abuse. There is a paucity of research on the epigenetic profile of patients with HICMP and of those who fall in the spectrum between opioid addicted and opioid naive. Exploring the role of epigenomics in HICMP and opioid addiction may improve understanding and treatment of these complex multifactorial conditions and, potentially, reduce development.

The long-term goal is to create a profile of genetic and psychosocial risk factors for identifying patients susceptible to HICMP and opioid abuse. The objective of this pilot study is to gather preliminary data on the association of epigenetic modification of genes with HICMP and prescription opioid abuse.The study team propose to compare COMT and OPRM1 DNA methylation patterns in patients with HICMP (Group 1) to those without HICMP (Group 2).The investigators will also correlate OPRM1 DNA methylation patterns with the likelihood of misuse and abuse in chronic opioid consumers. It is hypothesized: (1) the promoter region of the COMT and OPRM1 genes will be hypo- and hyper-methylated, respectively, in Group 1 compared to Group 2; and (2) the OPRM1 gene in patients at high risk for opioid misuse and abuse will be hyper-methylated.