Faculty Collaboration Database

Attitudes to genetic testing in families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder. Genet Test 2008 Jun;12(2):233-43

Date

06/17/2008

Pubmed ID

18554164

DOI

10.1089/gte.2007.0100

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-45549103587 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   40 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study assesses interest in genetic testing for gene variations associated with bipolar disorder and associated information needs.

METHODS: Two hundred individuals (95 unaffected and 105 affected with either bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder--manic type, or recurrent major depression) from families with multiple cases of bipolar disorder were assessed, using mailed, self-administered questionnaires.

RESULTS: The percentage of participants reporting interest in genetic testing was associated with the degree of certainty with which any test would indicate the development of bipolar disorder. Interest in genetic testing, given a 25% lifetime risk scenario, was lowest (with 77% of participants indicating interest), and highest for the 100% lifetime risk scenario (92%). Eighty percent of participants indicated interest in genetic testing of their own children; of these 30% reported wanting their children tested at birth, and 33% in early childhood. Forty-one percent of participants reported that they would be interested in preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and 54% in prenatal testing.

LIMITATIONS: The possibility of ascertainment bias cannot be ruled out. Interest in hypothetical genetic testing for bipolar disorder may not necessarily translate into actual utilization.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that uptake of genetic testing for genotyping for low-risk alleles related to bipolar disorder is likely to be lower than for testing for high-penetrance gene mutations that follow Mendelian inheritance. The discrepancy between the desired age of testing children and the accepted current practice may be a source of distress and conflict for parents and health professionals alike.

Author List

Meiser B, Kasparian NA, Mitchell PB, Strong K, Simpson JM, Tabassum L, Mireskandari S, Schofield PR

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitude to Health
Bipolar Disorder
Family
Family Health
Female
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Genetic Testing
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Stereotyping
Surveys and Questionnaires