Benchmarks for cystic fibrosis carrier screening: a European consensus document.
This paper presents an overview of the conclusions from an international conference convened to address current issues related to the provision of Cystic Fibrosis carrier screening within Europe. Consensus was not aimed at stating whether such a programme should be implemented. Instead the focus was to provide a framework for countries and agencies who are considering or planning its establishment. The general principles and target population of Cystic Fibrosis carrier screening, advantages and disadvantages, health economics, monitoring and future evaluative and research directions were covered. A range of screening strategies have been assessed and compared: pre-conceptional and prenatal screening; individual and couple screening; sequential and simultaneous sampling or testing. Furthermore, technical issues were examined with respect to the choice of the panel of mutations, its detection rate, sensitivity, management of intermediate 'at-risk' couples, screening approach to different populations and ethnic minorities, and assurance of laboratory quality control. The consensus statement also aims to establish the benchmarks for communicating with health care providers, the general public and potential and actual participants before and after the genetic test.
Castellani
Carlo
C
Verona Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Italy. carlo.castellani@ospedaleuniverona.it <carlo.castellani@ospedaleuniverona.it>
Macek
Milan
M
Cassiman
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Duff
Alistair
A
Massie
John
J
ten Kate
Leo P
LP
Barton
David
D
Cutting
Garry
G
Dallapiccola
Bruno
B
Dequeker
Elisabeth
E
Girodon
Emmanuelle
E
Grody
Wayne
W
Highsmith
Edward W
EW
Kääriäinen
Helenal
H
Kruip
Stephan
S
Morris
Michael
M
Pignatti
Pier Franco
PF
Pypops
Ulrike
U
Schwarz
Martin
M
Soller
Maria
M
Stuhrman
Manfred
M
Cuppens
Harry
H
D019985:Benchmarking; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening / Q000379:methods*; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics