Variability in interpreting and reporting copy number changes detected by array-based technology in clinical laboratories.
OBJECTIVE
: The purpose of this study was to assess the variability in interpretation and reporting of copy number changes that are detected by array-based technology in the clinical laboratory.


METHODS
: Thirteen different copy number changes, detected by array comparative genomic hybridization, that have not been associated with an abnormal phenotype in the literature were evaluated by directors from 11 different clinical laboratories to determine how they would interpret and report the findings.


RESULTS
: For none of the thirteen copy number changes was there complete agreement in the interpretation of the clinical significance of the deletion or duplication. For some cases, the interpretations ranged from normal to abnormal.


CONCLUSIONS
: There is a need for more specific guidelines for interpreting and reporting copy number changes detected by array-based technology to clearly and more consistently communicate the clinical significance of these findings to ordering providers.
Tsuchiya
Karen D
KD
Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA. karen.tsuchiya@seattlechildrens.org
Shaffer
Lisa G
LG
Aradhya
Swaroop
S
Gastier-Foster
Julie M
JM
Patel
Ankita
A
Rudd
M Katharine
MK
Biggerstaff
Julie Sanford
JS
Sanger
Warren G
WG
Schwartz
Stuart
S
Tepperberg
James H
JH
Thorland
Erik C
EC
Torchia
Beth A
BA
Brothman
Arthur R
AR
D022202:Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055028:Comparative Genomic Hybridization / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018628:Gene Dosage; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015588:Observer Variation; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires