Effect of direct-to-consumer genomewide profiling to assess disease risk.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of direct-to-consumer genomewide profiling to assess disease risk is controversial, and little is known about the effect of this technology on consumers. We examined the psychological, behavioral, and clinical effects of risk scanning with the Navigenics Health Compass, a commercially available test of uncertain clinical validity and utility.

Methods

We recruited subjects from health and technology companies who elected to purchase the Health Compass at a discounted rate. Subjects reported any changes in symptoms of anxiety, intake of dietary fat, and exercise behavior at a mean (±SD) of 5.6±2.4 months after testing, as compared with baseline, along with any test-related distress and the use of health-screening tests.

Results

From a cohort of 3639 e

SUBMITTER: Bloss CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3786730 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature