Biological pathways, candidate genes, and molecular markers associated with quality-of-life domains: an update.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There is compelling evidence of a genetic foundation of patient-reported quality of life (QOL). Given the rapid development of substantial scientific advances in this area of research, the current paper updates and extends reviews published in 2010.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective was to provide an updated overview of the biological pathways, candidate genes, and molecular markers involved in fatigue, pain, negative (depressed mood) and positive (well-being/happiness) emotional functioning, social functioning, and overall QOL.

METHODS:

We followed a purposeful search algorithm of existing literature to capture empirical papers investigating the relationship between biological pathways and molecular markers and the identified QOL domains.

RESULTS:

Multiple major pathways are involved in each QOL domain. The inflammatory pathway has the strongest evidence as a controlling mechanism underlying fatigue. Inflammation and neurotransmission are key processes involved in pain perception, and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is associated with multiple sorts of pain. The neurotransmitter and neuroplasticity theories have the strongest evidence for their relationship with depression. Oxytocin-related genes and genes involved in the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways play a role in social functioning. Inflammatory pathways, via cytokines, also play an important role in overall QOL.

CONCLUSIONS:

Whereas the current findings need future experiments and replication efforts, they will provide researchers supportive background information when embarking on studies relating candidate genes and/or molecular markers to QOL domains. The ultimate goal of this area of research is to enhance patients' QOL.

• Authors: Mirjam A G Sprangers, Melissa S Y Thong, Meike Bartels, Andrea Barsevick, Juan Ordoñana, Qiuling Shi, Xin Shelley Wang, Pål Klepstad, Eddy A Wierenga, Jasvinder A Singh, Jeff A Sloan, GeneQol Consortium
• Journal: Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation (Qual Life Res) Vol. 23 Issue 7 Pg. 1997-2013 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1573-2649 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24604075 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Genetic Markers

Topics

• Affect (physiology)
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Depression (genetics, metabolism)
• Fatigue (genetics, metabolism)
• Genetic Markers
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease (genetics, psychology)
• Happiness
• Humans
• Inflammation (genetics, psychology)
• Pain (genetics, psychology)
• Quality of Life