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Haque S, Crawley K, Schofield D, Shrestha R, Sue CM. Cascade testing in mitochondrial diseases: a cross-sectional retrospective study. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:343. [PMID: 39272026 PMCID: PMC11396135 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03850-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cascade testing can offer improved surveillance and timely introduction of clinical management for the at-risk biological relatives. Data on cascade testing and costs in mitochondrial diseases are lacking. To address this gap, we performed a cross-sectional retrospective study to provide a framework for cascade testing in mitochondrial diseases, to estimate the eligibility versus real-time uptake of cascade testing and to evaluate the cost of the genetic diagnosis of index cases and the cost of predictive cascade testing. METHODS Data was collected through retrospective chart review. The variant inheritance pattern guided the identification of eligible first-degree relatives: (i) Males with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) single nucleotide variants (SNVs) - siblings and mothers. (ii) Females with mtDNA SNVs - siblings, mothers and offspring. (iii) Autosomal Dominant (AD) nuclear DNA (nDNA) variants - siblings, offspring and both parents. (iv) Autosomal Recessive (AR) nDNA variants - siblings. RESULTS We recruited 99 participants from the Adult Mitochondrial Disease Clinic in Sydney. The uptake of cascade testing was 55.2% in the mtDNA group, 55.8% in the AD nDNA group and 0% in AR nDNA group. Of the relatives in mtDNA group who underwent cascade testing, 65.4% were symptomatic, 20.5% were oligosymptomatic and 14.1% were asymptomatic. The mean cost of cascade testing for eligible first-degree relatives (mtDNA group: $694.7; AD nDNA group: $899.1) was lower than the corresponding index case (mtDNA group: $4578.4; AD nDNA group: $5715.1) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The demand for cascade testing in mitochondrial diseases varies according to the genotype and inheritance pattern. The real-time uptake of cascade testing can be influenced by multiple factors. Early diagnosis of at-risk biological relatives of index cases through cascade testing, confirms the diagnosis in those who are symptomatic and facilitates implementation of surveillance strategies and clinical care at an early stage of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameen Haque
- Nepean Hospital, Derby Street, Kingswood, NSW, 2747, Australia.
- The Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
| | - Karen Crawley
- The Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Margarete Ainsworth Building, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Deborah Schofield
- Centre for Economic Impacts of Genomic Medicine (GenIMPACT), Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Eastern Rd, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Rupendra Shrestha
- Centre for Economic Impacts of Genomic Medicine (GenIMPACT), Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Eastern Rd, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Carolyn M Sue
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Margarete Ainsworth Building, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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2
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Ahmad Azahari AHS, Hakim Zada F, Ismail IH, Abd Hamid IJ, Lim BWD, Ismail NAS, Ali A. Knowledge, awareness, and perception on genetic testing for primary immunodeficiency disease among parents in Malaysia: a qualitative study. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1308305. [PMID: 38283358 PMCID: PMC10811462 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID), also known as Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI), comprises a group of rare genetic disorders that impair the body's immune responses. These conditions result from monogenic germline mutations that affect the function of genes governing the innate and adaptive immune system. Therefore, individuals with PID are more susceptible to infectious diseases, allergies, and autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. The prevalence of PID has been on the rise, with the number of classified diseases reaching 404, and 430 genetic defects reported to cause these conditions. However, in Malaysia, genetic testing for PID is currently limited and needs to be outsourced to overseas laboratories, posing financial challenges for families. Moreover, limited research has focused on the knowledge and awareness of genetic testing among parents of children with PID in Malaysia. This study aims to address this gap and provide valuable insights into the knowledge, awareness, and perception of genetic testing among this specific population. Method This qualitative cross-sectional study utilised online open-ended, semi-structured focus group interviews to explore the perceptions and experiences of parents of children with Primary Immunodeficiency (PID). Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from the Malaysian Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (MyPOPI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to providing support and raising awareness about PID. The study spanned from May 2023 to July 2023 and included participants from diverse regions of Malaysia who had undergone different diagnostic journeys in various hospitals. Result The focus group discussions yielded 11 sub-themes that highlighted the experiences, understanding and challenges of the participants regarding genetic testing based on the semi-structured questions. These sub-themes were then grouped into four main themes that are awareness and understanding of genetic testing, the journey towards diagnosis and treatment, emotional impact and psychological factors, and the importance of medical experts in diagnosing and managing PID, as well as public perception and awareness. Conclusion In conclusion, this study highlights the diverse knowledge, awareness, and perception surrounding genetic testing for PID. Factors such as access to services, family history, and personal circumstances shape individuals' understanding of genetic testing. The importance of healthcare professionals, along with the need for improved accessibility and targeted communication strategies, is underscored to enhance understanding and reduce stigma surrounding genetic testing for rare diseases like PID.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farheen Hakim Zada
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Intan Hakimah Ismail
- Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Intan Juliana Abd Hamid
- Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, Institut Perubatan dan Pergigian Termaju, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Bruce Wee Diong Lim
- Malaysian Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (MyPOPI), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail
- Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Adli Ali
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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3
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Mardani-Hamooleh M, Heidari H. Life story of Iranian parents of a child with phenylketonuria: a qualitative study. J Community Genet 2023; 14:419-427. [PMID: 37277551 PMCID: PMC10444926 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-023-00653-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parents of a child with phenylketonuria (PKU) face many challenges in childcare. It is crucial for health care workers to understand the situation of parents of a child with PKU and their needs. The purpose of this study was to explore the life story of parents with a child with PKU. This qualitative study has been done with a conventional content analysis approach. Twenty-four parents were selected purposefully. A semi-structured interview was conducted. Data analysis identified three main themes, which included parental reactions, consequences of a child with PKU in parents, and parents' needs. Parents of children with PKU can be considered people at risk for mental health because of their feelings of isolation and their lonely struggle to manage the disease and its effects on their child. This study shows that mothers need more support due to the misconceptions in and attitudes of their social environment. Therefore, it is necessary to understand this group, their needs and lives, and provide further support and promote empathy in the health system for the parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Mardani-Hamooleh
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Nursing, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haydeh Heidari
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Modeling in Health Research Center, Department of Nursing, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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4
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Leo B, Schneider H, Hammersen J. Reproductive decision-making by women with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36:1863-1870. [PMID: 35611639 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), ectodysplasin A1 (EDA1) deficiency results in malformation of hair, teeth, and sweat glands. Lack of sweating which can cause life-threatening hyperthermia is amenable to intrauterine therapy with recombinant EDA1. OBJECTIVES This study aimed at evaluating reproductive decision-making by women with XLHED and at clarifying the potential impact of a prenatal treatment option. METHODS In a retrospective cross-sectional analysis, a 75-item questionnaire filled in by 50 women with XLHED (age 19-49 years) was assessed. RESULTS 16 women (32%) prevented pregnancies because of the risk to pass on XLHED, 15 considered assisted reproduction for the same reason. Twelve women had a history of miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion, three women reported on previous abortion of affected fetuses. When imagining to be pregnant, all except one showed interest in prenatal diagnosis of XLHED and in the possibility of treatment before birth. In 13 out of 50 women (26%), XLHED if detected prenatally would have impact on the continuation of pregnancy. Among 35 mothers of at least one affected child, XLHED had rarely been diagnosed during the first pregnancy (17%) but regularly during subsequent pregnancies (77%). Becoming aware of the condition before birth had caused a moral conflict for 50% of these women. Subjects with an affected child less frequently considered assisted reproduction to prevent XLHED (p<0.05). In more than 66% of the women who reported an effect of XLHED on family planning, a prenatal treatment option for this disease would influence their decision-making. CONCLUSIONS Many pregnant XLHED carriers who seek prenatal diagnosis experience moral conflicts. A prenatal treatment option would have strong impact on reproductive decisions, underlining the importance of adequate professional counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Leo
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - H Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - J Hammersen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Pereira S, Smith HS, Frankel LA, Christensen KD, Islam R, Robinson JO, Genetti CA, Blout Zawatsky CL, Zettler B, Parad RB, Waisbren SE, Beggs AH, Green RC, Holm IA, McGuire AL. Psychosocial Effect of Newborn Genomic Sequencing on Families in the BabySeq Project: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr 2021; 175:1132-1141. [PMID: 34424265 PMCID: PMC8383160 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Newborn genomic sequencing (nGS) may provide health benefits throughout the life span, but there are concerns that it could also have an unfavorable (ie, negative) psychosocial effect on families. OBJECTIVE To assess the psychosocial effect of nGS on families from the BabySeq Project, a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of nGS on the clinical care of newborns from well-baby nurseries and intensive care units. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this randomized clinical trial conducted from May 14, 2015, to May 21, 2019, at well-baby nurseries and intensive care units at 3 Boston, Massachusetts, area hospitals, 519 parents of 325 infants completed surveys at enrollment, immediately after disclosure of nGS results, and 3 and 10 months after results disclosure. Statistical analysis was performed on a per-protocol basis from January 16, 2019, to December 1, 2019. INTERVENTION Newborns were randomized to receive either standard newborn screening and a family history report (control group) or the same plus an nGS report of childhood-onset conditions and highly actionable adult-onset conditions (nGS group). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Mean responses were compared between groups and, within the nGS group, between parents of children who received a monogenic disease risk finding and those who did not in 3 domains of psychosocial impact: parent-child relationship (Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale), parents' relationship (Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale), and parents' psychological distress (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale anxiety subscale). RESULTS A total of 519 parents (275 women [53.0%]; mean [SD] age, 35.1 [4.5] years) were included in this study. Although mean scores differed for some outcomes at singular time points, generalized estimating equations models did not show meaningful differences in parent-child relationship (between-group difference in adjusted mean [SE] Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale scores: postdisclosure, 0.04 [0.15]; 3 months, -0.18 [0.18]; 10 months, -0.07 [0.20]; joint P = .57) or parents' psychological distress (between-group ratio of adjusted mean [SE] Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale anxiety subscale scores: postdisclosure, 1.04 [0.08]; 3 months, 1.07 [0.11]; joint P = .80) response patterns between study groups over time for any measures analyzed in these 2 domains. Response patterns on one parents' relationship measure differed between groups over time (between-group difference in adjusted mean [SE] Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale scores: postdisclosure, -0.19 [0.07]; 3 months, -0.04 [0.07]; and 10 months, -0.01 [0.08]; joint P = .02), but the effect decreased over time and no difference was observed on the conflict measure responses over time. We found no evidence of persistent negative psychosocial effect in any domain. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this randomized clinical trial of nGS, there was no persistent negative psychosocial effect on families among those who received nGS nor among those who received a monogenic disease risk finding for their infant. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02422511.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Pereira
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Hadley Stevens Smith
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Leslie A. Frankel
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Kurt D. Christensen
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Rubaiya Islam
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jill Oliver Robinson
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Casie A. Genetti
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Carrie L. Blout Zawatsky
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bethany Zettler
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard B. Parad
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Susan E. Waisbren
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alan H. Beggs
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert C. Green
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts,Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Precision Population Health Initiative, Ariadne Labs, Boston, Massachusetts,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ingrid A. Holm
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amy L. McGuire
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Wauters A, Van Hoyweghen I. Normalising life at risk of Huntington's disease. A qualitative study of backgrounds and coping strategies of fears of genetic discrimination. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:940-948. [PMID: 33594260 PMCID: PMC8187417 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00822-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies in the sociology of genetics have shown how living with a predisposition to a genetic disorder often comes with significant psycho-social burdens and struggles. One of these struggles is the fear of genetic discrimination. Despite genetic non-discrimination regulations, research shows people still worry about being subjected to genetic discrimination. This article adds to this existing body of literature by showing why people still worry about genetic discrimination and how they cope with these worries. Our findings derive from an analysis of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with individuals at risk for Huntington's disease (HD) in Belgium. Concerns of genetic discrimination are grounded in the participants' family backgrounds. Our participants, having witnessed numerous events in which symptomatic relatives suffered discrimination and stigmatisation, expressed heightened fears of facing genetic discrimination. Further, this article provides insight into the strategies participants use to cope with these fears. Two ways of normalising life were identified-while some persist in keeping their genetic risk a secret, other participants explicitly choose to be transparent about their genetic risk, desiring a level of openness. However, while they want to 'break' with their family background, participants who choose to be open are still held back by their worries about genetic discrimination by organisational actors. 'Normalising genetics' appears to be particularly challenging considering the remaining stereotypes and stigma surrounding genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annet Wauters
- Life Sciences & Society Lab, Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, 45 - 3601, Parkstraat, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
| | - Ine Van Hoyweghen
- Life Sciences & Society Lab, Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, 45 - 3601, Parkstraat, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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7
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Mendes Á, Sequeiros J, Clarke AJ. Between responsibility and desire: Accounts of reproductive decisions from those at risk for or affected by late-onset neurological diseases. J Genet Couns 2021; 30:1480-1490. [PMID: 33893685 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This paper explores ways in which genetic risk foregrounds forms of responsibility while dealing with reproduction. We analyzed individual and family semi-structured interviews (n = 35) with people at-risk for or affected by transthyretin-related familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) and Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), which are late-onset neurological diseases. Although generally considered as rare diseases, some areas in Portugal present the world's highest frequency for MJD and TTR-FAP. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that participants drew on various - sometimes ambivalent and competing - understandings of their genetic risk and their wish to have children. Some participants perceived the avoidance of genetic risk to be responsible behavior, while, for others, responsibility entailed accepting risks because they prioritized values such as parenthood, family relationships and the value of life, above any question of genetic disease. Some participants shared accounts that were fraught with ambivalence, repentance and guilt, especially when children were born before participants knew of their own or their partner's risk. Participants' accounts also showed they make continued efforts to see themselves as responsible persons and to appear responsible in the eyes of others. We discuss findings in the context of participants' negotiation between genetic risk and their sense of responsibility toward themselves and others; we conclude that "genetic responsibility" is present not only in accounts of those who chose not to have children but also in those who make an informed decision to have at-risk children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Mendes
- UnIGENe and CGPP - Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Sequeiros
- UnIGENe and CGPP - Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Angus J Clarke
- Division of Cancer & Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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8
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Clarke A. The language and values of genetics: invited editorial on “letter to the editor: time to update the language of genetics from the 19th to the twenty-first century. A response to Schmidtke and Cornel” \by Small, Mason and Wright) (DOI: 10.1007/s12687-020-00467-3). J Community Genet 2020; 11:387-389. [DOI: 10.1007/s12687-020-00473-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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9
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Boardman FK, Clark C, Jungkurth E, Young PJ. Social and cultural influences on genetic screening programme acceptability: A mixed-methods study of the views of adults, carriers, and family members living with thalassemia in the UK. J Genet Couns 2020; 29:1026-1040. [PMID: 32114710 PMCID: PMC7754126 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As population‐level carrier screening panels for reprogenetic information emerge globally, conditions to be included, and the timing of implementation is widely debated. Thalassemia is the only condition for which population‐based prenatal carrier screening is offered in the UK. However, little is known about the views and experiences of the UK thalassemia‐affected community toward this screening or other forms of genetic screening for thalassemia (newborn, preconception), despite the range of direct consequences of screening programmes for this group. Using a mixed‐methods integrative analysis (qualitative interviews n = 20 and quantitative survey n = 80), this study outlines the experiences and attitudes of adults with thalassemia, their family members, and screen‐identified thalassemia carriers toward preconception, prenatal, and newborn screening for thalassemia. The majority of participants described thalassemia as a burdensome condition with a range of negative impacts, which contributed to their strong support for screening in all its potential formats. However, the data also highlight the challenges of each screening mode for this group, reflected in the high level of value conflict in participants' accounts and decisions. Cultural, social, and (to a lesser extent) religious factors were found to mitigate against the advantages of early screens, particularly within faith communities. Social stigma emerged as key to this process, informing the way that thalassemia severity was not only perceived, but also experienced by affected adults, which ultimately influenced screening uptake and outcomes. These findings suggest that cultural and social sensitivity is as important as the mode of screening delivery itself, if the iatrogenic and unintended harms of screening—particularly the social/psychological burden of value conflict—are to be adequately addressed and minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity K Boardman
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Corinna Clark
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Philip J Young
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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10
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Malek J, Pereira S, Robinson JO, Gutierrez AM, Slashinski MJ, Parsons DW, Plon SE, McGuire AL. Responsibility, culpability, and parental views on genomic testing for seriously ill children. Genet Med 2019; 21:2791-2797. [PMID: 31186522 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-019-0570-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We describe parental perceptions of and experiences with genomic sequencing (GS) in the care of seriously ill children. Understanding parents' perspectives is vital for clinicians caring for children, given the uptake of genomic technologies into clinical practice. METHODS Longitudinal, semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of pediatric cancer patients who underwent exome sequencing (ES) as a part of the BASIC3 study. Interviews were conducted at baseline, one to eight months after results disclosure, and approximately one year after disclosure. Using thematic qualitative analysis, parent interviews were coded with both inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS Before receiving genomic information, parents indicated that they saw ES as something responsible parents would agree to if their child had cancer. Some parents talked about the possibility of sequencing affecting feelings of culpability for their child's cancer, worrying that they passed on a cancer-causing gene or made parenting decisions that caused the disease. However, after receiving their child's ES results many reported feeling relieved of guilt and worry, and felt they had fulfilled parental duties by agreeing to ES for their child. CONCLUSION These results reveal a layer of meaning that parents associate with GS that may inform clinicians' approach to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Malek
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Stacey Pereira
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jill O Robinson
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amanda M Gutierrez
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Melody J Slashinski
- School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - D Williams Parsons
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sharon E Plon
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amy L McGuire
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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11
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Pousette Lundgren G, Hasselblad T, Johansson AS, Johansson A, Dahllöf G. Experiences of Being a Parent to a Child with Amelogenesis Imperfecta. Dent J (Basel) 2019; 7:dj7010017. [PMID: 30744129 PMCID: PMC6473584 DOI: 10.3390/dj7010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a hereditary developmental disorder affecting the enamel of teeth. Affected patients present with tooth hypersensitivity, rapid tooth wear, or fractures of enamel as well as alterations in color and shape, all of which compromise esthetic appearance and masticatory function. Chronic conditions in childhood severely impact the whole family, affecting normal family routines and/or increasing the family’s financial burden. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and the impact on daily life of being a parent to a child with severe forms of amelogenesis imperfecta. Parents of children and adolescents with AI participated in an interview with a psychologist. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The parents talked about several concerns about having a child with AI. Four main themes emerged from the interviews: Feelings associated with passing on a hereditary disorder, knowledge decreases stress, unfamiliarity with the diagnosis, and psychosocial stress. In these main categories we identified several subthemes. Feelings associated with passing on a hereditary disorder included the subtheme of guilt/shame; knowledge decreases stress included knowledge about diagnosis in the family and support from dental health care professionals; Unfamiliarity with diagnosis included missed diagnosis, fear of not getting correct treatment, and insufficient pain control; finally, the subtheme Psychosocial stress included fear of child being bullied and emergency dental visits. The findings show that parents of children with severe amelogenesis imperfecta report similar experiences as do parents of children with other chronic and rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunilla Pousette Lundgren
- Division of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet POB 4064, SE-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Tove Hasselblad
- Division of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet POB 4064, SE-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Anna Stigsdotter Johansson
- Division of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet POB 4064, SE-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Anna Johansson
- Division of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet POB 4064, SE-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Göran Dahllöf
- Division of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet POB 4064, SE-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden.
- Center for Pediatric Oral Health Research, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Clarke AJ, Wallgren-Pettersson C. Ethics in genetic counselling. J Community Genet 2019; 10:3-33. [PMID: 29949066 PMCID: PMC6325035 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-018-0371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Difficult ethical issues arise for patients and professionals in medical genetics, and often relate to the patient's family or their social context. Tackling these issues requires sensitivity to nuances of communication and a commitment to clarity and consistency. It also benefits from an awareness of different approaches to ethical theory. Many of the ethical problems encountered in genetics relate to tensions between the wishes or interests of different people, sometimes even people who do not (yet) exist or exist as embryos, either in an established pregnancy or in vitro. Concern for the long-term welfare of a child or young person, or possible future children, or for other members of the family, may lead to tensions felt by the patient (client) in genetic counselling. Differences in perspective may also arise between the patient and professional when the latter recommends disclosure of information to relatives and the patient finds that too difficult, or when the professional considers the genetic testing of a child, sought by parents, to be inappropriate. The expectations of a patient's community may also lead to the differences in perspective between patient and counsellor. Recent developments of genetic technology permit genome-wide investigations. These have generated additional and more complex data that amplify and exacerbate some pre-existing ethical problems, including those presented by incidental (additional sought and secondary) findings and the recognition of variants currently of uncertain significance, so that reports of genomic investigations may often be provisional rather than definitive. Experience is being gained with these problems but substantial challenges are likely to persist in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angus J Clarke
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4XN, UK.
| | - Carina Wallgren-Pettersson
- The Folkhaelsan Department of Medical Genetics, Topeliusgatan, 20 00250, Helsinki, Finland
- The Folkhaelsan Institute of Genetics and the Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Boardman FK, Hale R. How do genetically disabled adults view selective reproduction? Impairment, identity, and genetic screening. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2018; 6:941-956. [PMID: 30196552 PMCID: PMC6305648 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic medicine is rapidly evolving, particularly in the domain of reproduction. Population carrier screening for a range of disorders is becoming possible using whole genome/exome sequencing. However, very little is known about the views of genetically disabled adults toward selective reproduction. Methods Forty‐three in‐depth qualitative interviews were carried out with adults living with different types of genetic condition, recruited through support groups and clinics. Interviews covered participants’ experiences of their condition and their views toward genetic intervention in reproduction. Thematic analysis of the data using NVivo 11 was undertaken, and participants were assigned categories as either supporting, not‐supporting, or having ambivalent views toward selective reproduction. Results The majority of participants (65%) expressed either disapproval of, or held ambivalent views toward, selective reproduction. Key reasons for non‐support included regarding genetic impairment as part of personal identity and the prioritization of social and environmental barrier removal. Key reasons for support of selective reproduction included negative and externalizing attitudes toward genetic impairment and a belief in the importance of informed reproductive decision‐making. Conclusion The degree to which participants identified with their impairment, more so than how they valued it, was significant in determining attitudes toward selective reproduction. Those who supported genetic screening viewed their impairment as separate to themselves, while participants who considered their impairment as integral to their identity were most likely to report ambivalent or negative attitudes. Policymakers and stakeholders considering the role of genetic carrier screening panels might usefully engage with adults affected by heritable disease as well as disability identity politics when considering the acceptability and social impact of genetic screening programs.
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Discredited legacy: Stigma and familial amyloid polyneuropathy in Northwestern Portugal. Soc Sci Med 2017; 182:73-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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"It was a lot Tougher than I Thought It would be". A Qualitative Study on the Changing Nature of Being a Hemophilia Carrier. J Genet Couns 2017; 26:1324-1332. [PMID: 28547664 DOI: 10.1007/s10897-017-0112-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Studies on carriers of genetic disorders mainly focus on the process of genetic testing and reproductive choices, and less on how psychosocial aspects of being a carrier change over time. Our study sought to understand more about the psychosocial aspects of hemophilia carrier status, and thereby improve counseling aiming to advance carriers' quality of life and well-being. We analyzed 16 in-depth interviews from women who were carriers of hemophilia and had a son with hemophilia. Three themes emerged: Guilt and sorrow across generations; the choices and future consequences of genetic testing; and preparing to have a child with hemophilia. Experience with being a hemophilia carrier is a process that changes over time while feelings of guilt and sorrow run across generations. The carrier status may create "mothers-in-waiting" living at risk of having a sick child or not. The women think they are prepared to have a son with hemophilia, but experience more sadness than they expect when a son is diagnosed. Our findings suggest that health professionals, especially clinical geneticists and genetic counselors, carriers, families and patient organizations need to be aware that women's experiences of being a carrier of hemophilia changes during the biographical life course. The women may benefit from several rounds of genetic counseling at different stages of life.
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