A Cross-Sectional Study of Attitudes About the Use of Genetic Testing for Clinical Care Among Patients with an Alcohol Use Disorder

• Published in: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford) Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 700 - 703
• Main Authors: STROBEL, Brittany, MCMANUS, Lauren, LEONG, Shirley, BLOW, Frederic, SLAYMAKER, Valerie, BERRETTINI, Wade, GORDON, Adam J, O'BRIEN, Charles, OSLIN, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcohol related disorders; Alcoholism; Alcoholism - genetics; Alcoholism - therapy; Alcoholism and acute alcohol poisoning; Attitude; Attitudes; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; DNA; DNA - genetics; Employment; Female; General aspects. Genetic counseling; Genetic screening; Genetic Testing; Genotype; Humans; Insurance, Health; Male; Medical genetics; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Patient care; Precision Medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Toxicology; Treatment and Clinical Research; Human; Attitude; Alcoholism; Substance abuse; Medical screening; Genetic determinism; Epidemiology; Alcoholic beverage; Addiction; Cross sectional study; Genetics; Genetic testing; Public health
• ISSN: 0735-0414; 1464-3502
• DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agt130

Modification and individualization of medical treatments due to genetic testing has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. As evidence mounts that genetic testing may improve treatment decisions for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), we explored patient concerns and attitudes toward genetic testing. Subjects of two USA cross-sectional AUD studies were surveyed regarding their attitudes regarding the use of genetic testing for AUD treatment. Four hundred and fifty-seven participants were surveyed. Overall, subjects showed a high degree of willingness to provide DNA for clinical use and recognized genetics as important to the pathophysiology of a number of disorders including AUD. There were, however, significant concerns expressed related to insurance denial or employment problems. We found that patients enrolled in AUD studies had some concerns about use of genetic testing. The patients in these two samples were, however, willing and knowledgeable about providing DNA samples.