title: How Well Do Customers of Direct-to-Consumer Personal Genomic Testing Services Comprehend Genetic Test Results? Findings from the Impact of Personal Genomics Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess customer comprehension of health-related personal genomic testing (PGT) results.
  
  
  METHODS
  We presented sample reports of genetic results and examined responses to comprehension questions in 1,030 PGT customers (mean age: 46.7 years; 59.9% female; 79.0% college graduates; 14.9% non-White; 4.7% of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity). Sample reports presented a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes, carrier screening summary results for >30 conditions, results for phenylketonuria and cystic fibrosis, and drug response results for a statin drug. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of participant comprehension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants exhibited high overall comprehension (mean score: 79.1% correct). The highest comprehension (range: 81.1-97.4% correct) was observed in the statin drug response and carrier screening summary results, and lower comprehension (range: 63.6-74.8% correct) on specific carrier screening results. Higher levels of numeracy, genetic knowledge, and education were significantly associated with greater comprehension. Older age (≥ 60 years) was associated with lower comprehension scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most customers accurately interpreted the health implications of PGT results; however, comprehension varied by demographic characteristics, numeracy and genetic knowledge, and types and format of the genetic information presented. Results suggest a need to tailor the presentation of PGT results by test type and customer characteristics.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA.
authors.forename: Jenny E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ostergren
authors.forename: Michele C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gornick
authors.forename: Deanna Alexis
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Carere
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kalia
authors.forename: Wendy R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Uhlmann
authors.forename: Mack T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ruffin
authors.forename: Joanna L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mountain
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: J Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics; D032882:Comprehension; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics; D003710:Demography; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005823:Genetics / Q000193:education; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D023281:Genomics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000235:genetics; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000523:psychology*; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors