Abstract
Genetic profile of each person determines not only clinical symptoms of a disease, but its treatment as well. The drug efficacy might be characterized as a correlate of its interaction with our organism.
We have been witnesses of a boom of both molecular biology and genetics during latest decades when the set of knowledge about molecular mechanisms of pain was growing immensely. However, the complexity of various pathways is described concomitantly, especially in context of gene polymorphisms and thus preparedness of a patient body to positively answer to our therapy.
The polymorphism determines the efficacy of the treatment and also suggests its risk, i.e. potential of adverse drug reactions or drug-drug interactions, which finally affect the total cost of illness. Although the knowledge in this part of medicine is developing very quickly, not everything can be either tested and/or reimbursed by current health system (both technical and financial limitations).
Nevertheless, the presence of polymorphisms in every patient has to be accepted. Especially, it plays a very important role in elderly, where along with patient's genome also his age, gender, co-morbidities, and concomitant medication have to be taken into account.