Citation
Yang, J. J.; Wang, Z.; Trucco, E. M.; Buu, A.; & Lin, H. C. (2021). Chronic pain and delinquency partially explain the effect of the DRD4 gene polymorphism on adult substance use. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.Abstract
Background: The dopamine receptor D4 [DRD4] has been reported to be associated with substance use. Yet, the roles that health conditions and behaviors may play in such association are understudied. Objective: This longitudinal study investigated the potential mediation effects of chronic pain and delinquency in adolescence on the association between the DRD4 2-repeat allele and substance use in adulthood. Sex, witnessing violence, and experiencing violence were also examined as potential moderators for the mediation pathways. Methods: We used the restricted and candidate gene data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Waves I–IV) to conduct secondary analysis (N = 8,671; 47% male). A two-step approach was adopted to examine the mediation effects regarding four substance use outcomes in adulthood: number of lifetime alcohol use disorder symptoms, lifetime regular smoker status, past-month smoking, and lifetime “pain killer” misuse. The moderation effects were investigated using stratification and permutation. Results: The DRD4 2-repeat allele was associated with all adulthood substance use outcomes through adolescent chronic pain and delinquency (AORs/IRR range 1.08–3.78; all ps<0.01). The association between delinquency and smoking was higher among females. The association between delinquency and substance use was lower among the participants who witnessed violence in adolescence. Conclusions: This study identified modifiable mediators underlying the association between the DRD4 2-repeat allele and substance use behaviors, concluding that chronic pain and delinquency partially explain the effect of the DRD4 gene polymorphism on adult substance use.URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2021.1977311Keyword(s)
chronic painNotes
Export Date: 22 November 2021Reference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol AbuseAuthor(s)
Yang, J. J.Wang, Z.
Trucco, E. M.
Buu, A.
Lin, H. C.