Sickle Cell Anemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sickle Cell Anemia, including details on genetics, causes, symptoms.

The effect of CYP2D6 polymorphisms on the response to pain treatment for pediatric sickle cell pain crisis.

Brousseau DC, McCarver DG, Drendel AL, Divakaran K, Panepinto JA

Department of Pediatrics, Section of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. dbrousse@mcw.edu

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that children taking hydroxyurea who fail codeine therapy have an increase in reduced-functioning cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) alleles. STUDY DESIGN: Children with sickle cell disease presenting to an emergency department with a pain crisis unresponsive to codeine were genotyped. The proportion of children with reduced-functioning alleles and CYP2D6 enzyme activity scores < or = 1.5, were compared, by chi2 analysis, in children taking hydroxyurea and those with mild disease. RESULTS: Of the 73 children completing the study, 42 had reduced-functioning alleles; 82% of the 27 children taking hydroxyurea had reduced-functioning alleles, versus 47% of 36 those with mild disease (P < .05). Activity scores were decreased in 78% of the children taking hydroxyurea and in 44% of those with mild disease (P < .05). The odds ratios of children taking hydroxyurea were 4.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 15.9) for having reduced-functioning alleles, and 4.4 (95% CI = 1.4 to 13.4) for having a low activity score. CONCLUSIONS: Failing codeine therapy for a pain crisis while taking hydroxyurea is associated with an increase in reduced-functioning CYP2D6 alleles. We recommend genetic analysis or trial of a non-CYP2D6 analgesic for these children.

Published 22 May 2007 in J Pediatr, 150(6): 623-6.
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