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Review
. 2014 Sep;23(7):1997-2013.
doi: 10.1007/s11136-014-0656-1. Epub 2014 Mar 7.

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

Mirjam A G Sprangers  1 , 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
Collaborators, Affiliations
Review

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

Mirjam A G Sprangers et al. Qual Life Res. 2014 Sep.

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.

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