In a recent cohort study based on propensity score matching, Yao Chen et al. explored the impact of opioid receptor µ 1 (OPRM1) and Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms on the effectiveness of Sufentanil in providing labor analgesia. According to the findings of the study, Sufentanil might offer more effective epidural labor pain relief in individuals with OPRM1 AA and COMT GA/AA gene variants as opposed to those with OPRM1 AG/GG and COMT GG gene variants.

The study focused on 136 pairs of parturients using Sufentanil in combination with Lidocaine and Ropivacaine for epidural analgesia. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Sufentanil consumption were considered the key metrics for analysis. The results of the study revealed that individuals with OPRM1 AG/GG genotypes experienced a lower VAS score difference between the fifth minute and the initial assessment (1.55 versus 1.87) and consumed more Sufentanil (19.65 μg versus 17.11 μg) compared to those with the AA genotype.

Conversely, individuals with COMT GA/AA genotypes exhibited a greater VAS score difference than those with GG genotypes. Hence, gene variations can significantly affect the relief provided by Sufentanil during labor.