Mu-opioid receptor (A118G) single-nucleotide polymorphism affects alfentanil requirements for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: A pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic study

Background There are diverse reports concerning the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) A118G in the gene coding for the mu-opioid receptor. This study assessed pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships in patients with acute pain (water-immersed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy). Methods Ninety-nine patients (ASA I–II, age 18–70) were assessed in this prospective observational study. Blinding was achieved by determining genotype only after the procedure. I.V. alfentanil was administered by patient-controlled administration (loading dose, 10 µg kg −1 ; continuous infusion, 20 µg kg −1 h −1 ; bolus, 3 µg kg −1 ; lockout time, 1 min); no other analgesic or sedating medication was used. Results The allelic frequency was 15.2% in our population. The G118 SNP (AG/GG) was associated with a 27% increase in plasma alfentanil concentration ( P =0.034), a 54% increase in alfentanil dose ( P =0.009), a 47% increase in dose per kg body weight ( P =0.004), a 55% increase in dose per kg corrected for stimulus intensity ( P =0.002), a 112% increase in the numbers of attempted boluses ( P =0.015), a 79% increase in the numbers of successful boluses ( P =0.013), and a 153% increase in the numbers of failed boluses ( P =0.042). Despite the increased alfentanil self-administration, the G118 SNP was associated with a 52% increase in verbal analogue pain scores over the same period of time ( P =0.047). Conclusions We demonstrated increased opioid requirement for alfentanil in patients with the G118 SNP, who self-administered a higher dose, achieved higher plasma concentration, and yet complained of more severe pain. This observation suggests that G118 SNP impairs the analgesic response to opioids.