Key genetic link discovered between chronic pain conditions

A link has been found between four common chronic pain syndromes, suggesting that some people may be genetically predisposed to them, says research published in Pain.
By studying identical and non-identical twins (8,000 pairs altogether), the UK research team found that musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and dry eye disease may have shared genetic pathways.
All of the chronic pain syndromes studied were more likely to be found in both twins in an identical pair than in a non-identical pair, which means that each of the syndromes are inheritable. Women were more likely to have chronic pain syndromes than men.
The suggestion of a shared genetic pathway is reinforced by the fact that there were stronger links between the syndromes in identical twins than in non-identical twins (because they share more genes).
A genetic predisposition to chronic pain syndromes could explain shared symptoms (such as fatigue, memory loss and sleep disturbance) and why people often have more than one of these conditions. The overlap suggests an underlying genetic pathway common for all chronic pain syndromes and could lead to more effective, targeted therapies in the future.
“The findings have clearly suggested that chronic pain syndromes may be heritable within families,” says lead researcher, Dr Frances Williams. “With further research, these findings could then lead to therapies which may change the lives of those suffering with chronic pain.”