Genetic and pharmacokinetic factors affecting the initial pharmacotherapeutic effect of paroxetine in Japanese patients with panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate genetic and pharmacokinetic factors affecting the initial pharmacotherapeutic effect of paroxetine (PAX) in Japanese patients with panic disorder (PD).

METHOD: Plasma concentration of PAX was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) variants were determined by polymerase chain reaction techniques. PD severity was assessed using the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS).

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis revealed that the plasma concentration of PAX, 5-HTTLPR genotype, and comorbid physical illness were significant factors affecting the initial pharmacotherapeutic effect of PAX in PD and indicated that these factors accounted for 52.4% (R(2) = 0.524) of the variability in the percent reduction in PAS score. The final model was described by the following equation (P = 0.001): percent reduction in PAS score (%) = 68.5 - 1.2 x [plasma concentration of PAX (ng/ml)] - 33.0 x (L/S = 1, S/S = 0) - 21.8 x (with comorbid physical illness = 1, without comorbid physical illness = 0).

CONCLUSION

The high plasma concentration of PAX, the L/S genotype of 5-HTTLPR, and comorbid physical illness might be associated with a poor response to the initial phase of pharmacotherapy of PD with PAX.