Genetic Testing Rate Lower for Blacks With Inherited Retinal Diseases

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 8, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Nov. 8, 2024 -- The genetic testing rate is lower for Black than non-Hispanic White patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), according to a study published online Nov. 7 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Rebhi O. Abuzaitoun, M.D., from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined the genetic detection rates of wide-panel testing in Black and non-Hispanic White patients with IRDs using retrospective patient data collected at the University of Michigan (UM) and Blueprint Genetics (BG).

A total of 572 patients were included in UM (9.4 percent Black; 90.6 percent White), while the BG database included 320 Black patients and 2,931 White patients. The researchers found that at UM, there were independent associations for Black race (odds ratio, 0.25) and age (odds ratio per 10 years, 0.84) with reduced odds of a positive test. In the BG database, 44.4 and 57.7 percent of Black and White patients, respectively, had a positive/likely positive result.

"Given that patients with no known genetic diagnosis have fewer options for receiving novel treatments, the equity of genetic testing directly impacts the equity of IRD clinical trials," the authors write. "As future treatments become available, we must critically examine the genetic detection rates across majority and minority subgroups alike."

Authors disclosed ties to Blueprint Genetics and ExamOne (owned by Quest Diagnostics).

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords