Attitudes of young patients with Parkinson's disease towards possible presymptomatic and prenatal genetic testing.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the opinions and attitudes of young patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) towards possible presymptomatic and prenatal genetic testing for their illness.


BACKGROUND
With progress in understanding of the genetic component in the etiology of PD, presymptomatic genetic testing may become available in subgroups of patients.


METHODS
During a survey on sociodemographic and risk factors 111 PD patients (mean age 45 years: mean age at PD onset 36 years) were given a questionnaire with six items about possible presymptomatic and prenatal genetic testing.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven patients (5196) had knowledge about presymptomatic and prenatal testing. Eighty patients (72%) would take a presymptomatic test, if they had an autosomal dominant form of PD and if the test were available. The most Important reasons given for taking the test were planning of partnership (40%) and family (48%). When being identified as a carrier of a presumed "Parkinson gene", 78 patients (70%) would decide not to have children. Sixty-three patients (57%) would choose to have prenatal testing. Attitudes were largely independent of sociodemographic and disease variables.


CONCLUSIONS
When addressed as hypothetical persons at genetic risk, young patients with PD support possible presymptomatic genetic testing and, to a lesser extent, prenatal testing. Attitudes and reasons to participate in such hypothetical testing do not grossly differ from those of at-risk persons in established single-gene autosomal dominant disorders of late onset.
Jacobs
H
H
Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lübeck, Germany.
Latza
U
U
Vieregge
A
A
Vieregge
P
P
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002321:Career Choice; D003710:Demography; D004522:Educational Status; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires