Considering G>A polymorphism of COMT gene (rs4680), The genetic cause of stress induced TMD in medical students; A case control study

Objective: To determine the genetic associations of COMT gene polymorphism (rs4680) with stress induced Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in medical students. Methodology: This case control study was conducted at Islamic International Medical College in collaboration with Dental Center of Railway Hospital and Dental College of Heavy Industries Taxila Educational City, from November 2022 to October 2023. It included 126 cases with stress induced TMD and 126 matched controls without TMD and stress. All were medical students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. Peripheral blood was taken to extract DNA and genotyped for COMT polymorphism (rs4680) by Tetra-ARMS PCR. The association was determined by calculating Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Result: COMT gene polymorphism (rs4680) G > A substitution was significantly associated with stress induced TMD (p<0.0001). Conclusion: COMT (rs4680) may be considered a significant risk factor in the development of stress induced TMD in the medical students.