A cross-sectional study of attitudes about the use of genetic testing for clinical care among patients with an alcohol use disorder.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Subjects of two USA cross-sectional AUD studies were surveyed regarding their attitudes regarding the use of genetic testing for AUD treatment.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Corresponding author: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. oslin@upenn.edu.
Brittany
B
Strobel
Lauren
L
McManus
Shirley
S
Leong
Frederic
F
Blow
Valerie
V
Slaymaker
Wade
W
Berrettini
Adam J
AJ
Gordon
Charles
C
O'Brien
David
D
Oslin
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057285:Precision Medicine
D004247:DNA