ABSTRACT
Aim: Patient knowledge and attitudes toward pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing may impact adoption of clinical testing. Methods: Questionnaires regarding knowledge, attitudes and ethics of PGx testing were distributed to 504 patients enrolled in the ADAPT study conducted at two urban hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Responses were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: 311 completed the survey (62% response rate). 74% were unaware of PGx testing, but 79% indicated using PGx results to predict medication efficacy was important. In a multivariable model, higher education level (p = 0.031) and greater genetics knowledge (p < 0.001) were associated with more positive attitudes toward PGx testing. Conclusion: Greater patient knowledge of genetics was associated with a more positive attitude toward PGx testing, indicating that educational strategies aimed at increasing genetics knowledge may enhance adoption of PGx testing in the clinic.
Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing looks for genetic variations that may impact one's ability to respond to certain medications. This has the potential to improve patient care and minimize side effects from medications but is not currently used as standard of care for several reasons including a limited understanding of patient perceptions toward PGx testing. This study aimed to assess patient knowledge, attitudes and ethics of PGx testing. Questionnaires were given to patients enrolled in a clinical trial at two urban hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. In the study, patients underwent a nonsurgical procedure to open narrowed blood vessels supplying the heart muscles and were prescribed antiplatelet medications afterward. As part of study participation, some patients had undergone PGx testing to guide antiplatelet therapy following while others received standard of care (no PGx testing). We found that patients were generally not aware of PGx testing but felt it would be important information to have to guide their treatment options. Higher education levels and greater genetics knowledge were factors associated with more positive attitudes toward PGx testing. An understanding of patient perceptions, knowledge and misconceptions of PGx testing can allow healthcare professionals to better address knowledge gaps and increase the use of PGx testing in clinical settings.