Do Polymorphisms Predict Hypnotherapy Response in Children With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders: An Explorative Study

Genetic variations, in specific COMT, OPRM1, and MAO-A polymorphisms, have been associated with hypnotizability in adults. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate whether these polymorphisms are also associated with response to hypnotherapy (HT) in children. Patients (8–18 years, n = 260) diagnosed with a functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD) from a previous trial assessing HT efficacy were approached for participation and 144 agreed to collect a buccal sample. Primary aim was to explore the association between COMT, OPRM1, and MAO-A polymorphisms with treatment success (TS) after 3-month HT. Additionally, associations between these polymorphisms and adequate relief, anxiety, depression, quality of life, somatization, hypnotic susceptibility, expectations, pain beliefs, and coping strategies were evaluated. Participants with different variations of COMT, MAO-A, and OPRM1 achieved similar TS levels (P > 0.05). No associations were found between these polymorphisms and secondary outcomes. This suggest that in pediatric patients with FAPDs, COMT, OPRM1, and MAO-A polymorphisms do not predict HT response.