Analysis of pre-test interviews in a cohort of Brazilian patients with movement disorders

Spinocerebellar ataxias and Huntington disease are heritable, adult onset, neurodegenerative disorders of movement. Both are autosomal dominant and caused by expansions in trinucleotide sequences in several genes. Because these expansions are associated with an almost complete penetrance, genetic te...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of community genetics 2015-07, Vol.6 (3), p.259-264
Main Authors: do Nascimento Marinho, Alice Salgueiro, de Faria Domingues de Lima, Maria Angelica, Vargas, Fernando Regla
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Epidemiology
Gene Function
Gene Therapy
Human Genetics
Original
Original Article
Public Health
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Summary:Spinocerebellar ataxias and Huntington disease are heritable, adult onset, neurodegenerative disorders of movement. Both are autosomal dominant and caused by expansions in trinucleotide sequences in several genes. Because these expansions are associated with an almost complete penetrance, genetic tests are available at the diagnostic and predictive level. In this study, we describe the expectations and issues raised during pre-test interviews for genetic counselling for these diseases. Data from pre-test interviews with 97 patients and at-risk relatives for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) or Huntington disease was comprised of close-ended questions (demographics, personal and current disease history) and open-ended questions, where individuals were asked to describe their hopes and expectations on the genetic counselling evaluation and also their degree of knowledge about genetics and medical genetics. Amongst the main expectations identified in patients and at-risk relatives, issues related to the aetiological diagnosis and/or disclosure of the at-risk status were those most frequently mentioned (57 %). Improvement in quality of life was another identified issue (17 %). Interestingly, the issue of inheritance/transmission was identified as the main expectation by a minority of individuals (3 %). Pre-test interviews are valuable tools to identify issues raised by consultands and promote a better communication between the patient, family and the genetic counselling team.
ISSN:1868-310X
1868-6001
DOI:10.1007/s12687-015-0235-3