Influence of variation in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene on the clinical outcome after lumbar spine surgery for one-level symptomatic disc disease: a report on 176 cases.

Abstract excerpt

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at the evaluation of the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) (rs4680:A > G-Val158Met, rs6269:A > G, rs4633:C > T, rs4818:C > G) and pain sensitivity after lumbar discectomy. METHODS: All patients had one-level symptomatic disc herniation from L3 to S1. The primary data recorded included visual analogue pain scales assessing back and...