The association between panic disorder and the L/L genotype of catechol-O-methyltransferase.
To clarify the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphism in panic disorder (PD), we investigated a large group of Korean PD patients (N = 178) and controls (N = 182) using a case-control study. We also assessed the response to paroxetine treatment and other clinical variables in the PD patients. The increase in the COMT(L) allele was not statistically significant in PD (p = 0.104). However, compared with the sum of the other genotypes, the frequency of the L/L genotype was significantly higher in PD (p = 0.042). The odd ratios (ORs) also indicated a significant effect of the homozygosity for the COMT(L) allele on an increased risk for PD (OR=2.38; 95% CI 1.03-5.51). In addition, patients with L/L genotype had higher trait-anxiety levels (p = 0.030) and poorer treatment response to paroxetine than those with other genotypes (p = 0.002). Our results suggest that the COMT L/L genotype is associated with PD and the genetic variant of the COMT enzyme may be related to the clinical severity and treatment response to paroxetine in PD.
Woo
Jong-Min
JM
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yoon
Kyung-Sik
KS
Choi
Young-Hee
YH
Oh
Kang-Sub
KS
Lee
Young-Sik
YS
Yu
Bum-Hee
BH
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors