Association of Catechol-O-methyltransferase single nucleotide polymorphisms, ethnicity, and sex in a large cohort of fibromyalgia patients

This is the largest study, to date, that examines demographic and genetic associations of FM in a diverse population. While pain sensitivity-associated <i>COMT</i> haplotypes were not found to be directly associated with FM diagnosis, the minor alleles that make up the <i>COMT</i> haplotypes were overrepresented in the FM population, suggesting a role of <i>COMT</i> in FM. Future studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of <i>COMT</i> variation in widespread pain conditions, such as FM. Clinically, this information can be used to provide insight into the pathways underlying FM and to identify those at greater risk of developing FM.