Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: patients' experiences and attitudes.
BACKGROUND
This study aims to report the experiences and attitudes of patients who have undergone preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The extent to which this technique is acceptable to the individuals for whom it is intended is relatively unexplored, and remains a crucial issue that may ultimately determine the value of PGD as an alternative to prenatal diagnosis in high-risk couples.


METHODS
An information sheet and questionnaire was distributed to 67 couples who had been treated at the Hammersmith Hospital, London and the Dexeus Institute, Barcelona.


RESULTS
One-third of patients had an affected child, over half had previous experience of conventional prenatal diagnosis and over one-third had had terminations of pregnancy because of a genetic risk. Patients perceive the main advantage of PGD to be that only unaffected embryos are transferred to the uterus and thus therapeutic termination of pregnancy can be avoided; the main disadvantage is the low success rate. A total of 41% of patients found the treatment cycle extremely stressful, and, of the 20 patients who had experienced both prenatal diagnosis and PGD, 40% of patients found PGD less stressful, although 35% experienced more stress. Of those couples who contemplated a further pregnancy 76% would choose PGD, 16% would opt for prenatal diagnosis, and 8% no tests at all.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience of prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy can be an unwelcome memory and this leads to a demand for an alternative approach. Our data suggest that PGD is acceptable to patients and is a valuable alternative to prenatal diagnosis.
Division of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital and Du Cane Rd, London W12 0HS, UK. stuart.lavery@ic.ac.uk
S A
SA
Lavery
R
R
Aurell
C
C
Turner
C
C
Castello
A
A
Veiga
P N
PN
Barri
R M
RM
Winston
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010361:Patients; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology
Empirical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction