ABSTRACT
Drug addiction is an important social problem in many countries. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the predisposition of drug addiction. Genetic variations at the µ opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene locus have been associated with opiate addiction. The present study aims to delineate the frequency of A118G allele of OPRM1 among Malaysian subjects. The frequency of A allele and G allele were 51% and 49%, respectively for addicts and about 73% and 27% respectively for healthy volunteers. The frequency of G allele was 1.77-fold higher in addicts by odds ratio calculation at 95% Cl, which indicate the G allele to be strongly associated with addiction X(2) = 15.31,P < 0.0001; odds ratio 2.51; 95% Cl (1.575-3.994), compared to healthy volunteers. A significant association was observed between A118G polymorphism in µ opioid receptor gene and drug addiction.
