• Md Shafiqur Rahman, Bendik S Winsvold, Sergio O Chavez Chavez, Sigrid Børte, Yakov A Tsepilov, Sodbo Zh Sharapov, HUNT All-In Pain, Yurii S Aulchenko, Knut Hagen, Egil A Fors, Kristian Hveem, John Anker Zwart, Joyce B van Meurs, Maxim B Freidin, and Frances Mk Williams.
• Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
• Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2021 Sep 1; 80 (9): 1227-1235.

Background And ObjectivesChronic widespread musculoskeletal pain (CWP) is a symptom of fibromyalgia and a complex trait with poorly understood pathogenesis. CWP is heritable (48%-54%), but its genetic architecture is unknown and candidate gene studies have produced inconsistent results. We conducted a genome-wide association study to get insight into the genetic background of CWP.MethodsNorthern Europeans from UK Biobank comprising 6914 cases reporting pain all over the body lasting >3 months and 242 929 controls were studied. Replication of three independent genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms was attempted in six independent European cohorts (n=43 080; cases=14 177). Genetic correlations with risk factors, tissue specificity and colocalisation were examined.ResultsThree genome-wide significant loci were identified (rs1491985, rs10490825, rs165599) residing within the genes Ring Finger Protein 123 (RNF123), ATPase secretory pathway Ca 2+ transporting 1 (ATP2C1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). The RNF123 locus was replicated (meta-analysis p=0.0002), the ATP2C1 locus showed suggestive association (p=0.0227) and the COMT locus was not replicated. Partial genetic correlation between CWP and depressive symptoms, body mass index, age of first birth and years of schooling were identified. Tissue specificity and colocalisation analysis highlight the relevance of skeletal muscle in CWP.ConclusionsWe report a novel association of RNF123 locus and a suggestive association of ATP2C1 locus with CWP. Both loci are consistent with a role of calcium regulation in CWP. The association with COMT, one of the most studied genes in chronic pain field, was not confirmed in the replication analysis.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.

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