Tooba Aleem, Maliha Rashid, Naeem Ahmad, Muhammad Farrukh Asif, Muhammad Tariq, Naveed Altaf Malik, James A. Poulter
{"title":"Exome sequencing reveals broad genetic heterogeneity for neuromuscular disorders in consanguineous Pakistani Families","authors":"Tooba Aleem, Maliha Rashid, Naeem Ahmad, Muhammad Farrukh Asif, Muhammad Tariq, Naveed Altaf Malik, James A. Poulter","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01915-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01915-9","url":null,"abstract":"Neuromuscular disorders comprise the majority of neurogenetic conditions, generally characterized by overlapping clinical symptoms, such as spastic paraplegia, muscular abnormalities, and ataxia. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many patients remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. For many NMDs, early diagnosis helps reduce the impact and mortality of the disorder, particularly in LMICs such as Pakistan, and reduces the burden on the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to use exome sequencing as a first line of diagnostic approach to identify the cause of disease. Here, we present five consanguineous families from different remote villages in Pakistan with an undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder, in whom whole-exome sequencing was able to provide a diagnosis. We identified novel variants in known reported disease genes SPEN (c.351_356del) and POMT1 (c.1583A > G) and three previously reported variants in MMP2 (c.1287del), ARL13B (c.599 G > A), and SPG11 (c.6811_6812del). In one family, homozygous pathogenic variants in two different genes (SPEN and NPHP4) were identified; to our knowledge, this is the first report of nephronophthisis and Radio-Tartaglia syndrome co- segregating in a family. In all cases, Sanger sequencing was performed on available family members to confirm segregation. Our study highlights the importance of whole-exome sequencing as a first-line diagnostic approach in undiagnosed individuals with neuromuscular disorders in LMICs, where access to healthcare is limited.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 10","pages":"1264-1270"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01915-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daphne J. Smits, Christophe Debuy, Alice S. Brooks, Rachel Schot, Federico Ferraro, Dmitrijs Rots, Arjan Bouman, Virginie J. M. Verhoeven, Laura Donker Kaat, Sarina G. Kant, Yolande van Bever, Serwet Demirdas, Shimriet Zeidler, Marieke F. van Dooren, Stephany H. Donze, Lies H. Hoefsloot, Marjon A. van Slegtenhorst, Martina Wilke, Frank Sleutels, Mark Drost, Hennie T. Brüggenwirth, Rick van Minkelen, Anne Goverde, Janna A. Hol, Ingrid M. B. H. van de Laar, Yvette van Ierland, Anneke Kievit, Vyne van der Schoot, Kyra E. Stuurman, Grazia M. S. Mancini, Marja W. Wessels, Tjakko J. van Ham, Tjitske Kleefstra, Tahsin Stefan Barakat
{"title":"Clinical utility of DNA-methylation signatures in routine diagnostics for neurodevelopmental disorders","authors":"Daphne J. Smits, Christophe Debuy, Alice S. Brooks, Rachel Schot, Federico Ferraro, Dmitrijs Rots, Arjan Bouman, Virginie J. M. Verhoeven, Laura Donker Kaat, Sarina G. Kant, Yolande van Bever, Serwet Demirdas, Shimriet Zeidler, Marieke F. van Dooren, Stephany H. Donze, Lies H. Hoefsloot, Marjon A. van Slegtenhorst, Martina Wilke, Frank Sleutels, Mark Drost, Hennie T. Brüggenwirth, Rick van Minkelen, Anne Goverde, Janna A. Hol, Ingrid M. B. H. van de Laar, Yvette van Ierland, Anneke Kievit, Vyne van der Schoot, Kyra E. Stuurman, Grazia M. S. Mancini, Marja W. Wessels, Tjakko J. van Ham, Tjitske Kleefstra, Tahsin Stefan Barakat","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01919-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01919-5","url":null,"abstract":"Disease-causing variants in chromatin regulator genes cause many developmental disorders. DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures are emerging as a diagnostic tool to identify disease causes and classify variants of uncertain significance (VUS). This study evaluates their diagnostic utility in a routine clinical setting. We retrospectively analyzed 298 patients from the Erasmus MC who underwent DNAm signature testing using the commercial EpisignTM platform between February 2019 and June 2023. The cohort included 75 targeted analyses for follow-up on prior genetic findings and 223 complete analyses for cases unsolved after prior diagnostic testing. In the 75 targeted analyses, DNAm signatures were positive in 18% (10/55) for (VUS), 91% (10/11) for likely pathogenic variants, and 89% (8/9) for pathogenic variants. In 223 complete analyses, a disease-linked DNAm signature was observed in 9.0% (20/223), with a (partial) phenotypic match in 55% of those (11/20) but no match in 45% (9/20). In 81.8% (9/11) of those DNAm signature positive cases with a phenotypic match, retrospective analysis identified a causative DNA variant or confirmed independently an imprinting disorder that was unidentified previously, providing valuable diagnostic insights with an overall diagnostic yield of 4.0% (9/223) for these molecular confirmed cases. In conclusion, this study supports the clinical utility of DNAm signatures to assist in interpreting and classifying VUS, but also as a complementary tool when prior genetic testing, including exome sequencing, failed to provide a diagnosis.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 10","pages":"1281-1289"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01919-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benoit Mazel, Emilia Aisha Coleman, Justine Rousseau, Senthilkumar Kailasam, Norbert Fonya Ajeawung, Daniel Alexander Jimenez Cruz, Sophie Ehresmann, Gang Chen, Carl Ernst, Philippe M. Campeau
{"title":"Mechanistic insights into 16p13.3 microdeletions encompassing TBC1D24 and ATP6V0C through advanced sequencing approaches","authors":"Benoit Mazel, Emilia Aisha Coleman, Justine Rousseau, Senthilkumar Kailasam, Norbert Fonya Ajeawung, Daniel Alexander Jimenez Cruz, Sophie Ehresmann, Gang Chen, Carl Ernst, Philippe M. Campeau","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01912-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01912-y","url":null,"abstract":"Chromosomal microdeletions represent a complex class of genetic disorders. Recently, 16p13.3 microdeletions encompassing TBC1D24 and ATP6V0C have gained prominence as structural variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, but their occurrence mechanisms remain unexplored. We used a comprehensive range of sequencing technologies (mate pair genome sequencing, linked-pair genome sequencing, nanopore sequencing, targeted locus amplification (TLA), long range and nested PCR followed by Sanger sequencing), to map the exact 16p13.3 microdeletion breakpoints in eight previously reported individuals. Microdeletion breakpoints were successfully mapped in all patients using TLA, split read analysis, PCR/Sanger sequencing, or nanopore sequencing. Alu sequences and/or non-B DNA motifs were detected in all patients. Mechanistic analysis identified distinct pathways underlying these rearrangements. Noteworthy, two unrelated individuals carried identical microdeletions that might have been mediated by an atypical form of non-allelic homologous recombination, given the presence of a 639 bp sequence with 96.2% homology. Microhomology-mediated end-joining and non-homologous end-joining emerged as other mechanisms driving these 16p13.3 microdeletions, which differs from other studied contiguous gene deletion syndromes. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of microdeletion-associated disorder pathophysiology in medical genetics.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 9","pages":"1136-1143"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144729003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martin Bird, Chris Jyun-Peng Tung, Alan M Pittman, Elijah R Behr, Axel Nohturfft, Marta Futema
{"title":"Novel start codon variant in the 5'UTR of LDLR associated with familial hypercholesterolaemia.","authors":"Martin Bird, Chris Jyun-Peng Tung, Alan M Pittman, Elijah R Behr, Axel Nohturfft, Marta Futema","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01893-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-025-01893-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic disorder due to pathogenic variants in LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes, characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration and a significantly increased risk of premature coronary heart disease. Annotating whole genome sequencing data of 536 FH patients using the VEP plugin UTRannotator, we identified a novel variant c.-35C > G in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of LDLR, predicted to introduce an upstream translation initiation codon and upstream open reading frame (uORF) that is out of frame with the LDLR coding sequence. Using promoter and epitope reporter assays, we demonstrate that the c.-35C > G variant leads to the preferential utilisation of the upstream AUG codon over the wild-type LDLR translation start site. We additionally conducted reporter assays for a previously reported variant that introduces a novel AUG codon through a deletion at position -22 of the 5'UTR (c.-22del) and obtained similar results. These findings confirm a novel type of FH-causing LDLR variants, leading to a premature start of translation and a truncation, underscoring the need for expanded genetic screening beyond coding regions. Future studies should focus on further characterising 5'UTR variants to better understand their role in FH.</p>","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144706870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Young-gon Kim, Changhee Ha, Ja-Hyun Jang, Mi-Ae Jang, Jong-Won Kim
{"title":"Reassessment of variants of uncertain significance in tumor suppressor genes using new ClinGen PP1/PP4 criteria guidance","authors":"Young-gon Kim, Changhee Ha, Ja-Hyun Jang, Mi-Ae Jang, Jong-Won Kim","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01911-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01911-z","url":null,"abstract":"Recently, new clinical genome resource (ClinGen) guidance focusing on cosegregation (PP1) and phenotype-specificity criteria (PP4) were introduced, based on the observation that the phenotype specificity could provide greater level of pathogenicity evidence. This study aimed to reassess variants of uncertain significance (VUS) found in tumor suppressor genes with specific phenotypes using these new recommendations. We retrieved VUS from an in-house database of all germline variants detected using sequencing since 2008. Patients carrying VUS from seven target tumor suppressor genes, NF1, TSC1, TSC2, RB1, PTCH1, STK11, and FH, were selected and the pathogenicity of each variant was reassessed using the new ClinGen PP1/PP4 criteria. In total, 128 unique VUS from 145 carriers were evaluated. Initial classification using the classic PP1/PP4 criteria from ACMG/AMP and point-based classification resulted in 21 variants being reclassified (2 pathogenic variants, 3 likely pathogenic variants [LPVs], 15 likely benign variants, and 1 benign variant), leaving 101 VUS. Applying the new ClinGen PP1/PP4 criteria, 32 (31.4%) remaining VUS were reclassified as LPVs. The reclassification rate was highest in STK11 (88.9%). Representative cases highlighted successful reclassification owing to highly specific phenotypes aligned with the new criteria. The new ClinGen PP1/PP4 criteria significantly improved the reclassification of VUS in tumor suppressor genes associated with specific phenotypes. The new criteria could substantially enhance the accuracy of variant classification.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 10","pages":"1368-1375"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01911-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susan M. White, Annelotte P. Wondergem, Isa Breet, Maren Dittmaier, Katrina Bell, Christopher M. Richmond, Winita Hardikar, Kanika Bhatia, Catherine Quinlan, David Orchard, Areetha D’Souza, Walter J. Chazin, Christopher Smith, Rebecca Sparkes, Simon Lam, Alexandra Carter, Robert J. Hopkin, Leticia Khendek, Bonnie R. Sullivan, Naja Becher, Anne Katrine W. Simonsen, Helene Kvistgaard, Katherine Dempsey, Alexander G. Miethke, Pernille Axél Gregersen, Eliza Phillips, Martijn S. Luijsterburg
{"title":"A new multisystem ERCC1-hepatorenal syndrome: insights from a clinical cohort, molecular pathogenesis, and management guidelines","authors":"Susan M. White, Annelotte P. Wondergem, Isa Breet, Maren Dittmaier, Katrina Bell, Christopher M. Richmond, Winita Hardikar, Kanika Bhatia, Catherine Quinlan, David Orchard, Areetha D’Souza, Walter J. Chazin, Christopher Smith, Rebecca Sparkes, Simon Lam, Alexandra Carter, Robert J. Hopkin, Leticia Khendek, Bonnie R. Sullivan, Naja Becher, Anne Katrine W. Simonsen, Helene Kvistgaard, Katherine Dempsey, Alexander G. Miethke, Pernille Axél Gregersen, Eliza Phillips, Martijn S. Luijsterburg","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01910-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01910-0","url":null,"abstract":"DNA repair disorders are a group of conditions characterized by progressive, multisystem phenotypes. Defining new clinical presentations of these disorders is essential for optimizing patient care. ERCC1-XPF is a multifunctional endonuclease involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER) and interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair. We sought to define a novel multisystem phenotype associated with biallelic ERCC1 variants and impaired DNA repair. Through international collaboration, we identified seven individuals from five families carrying biallelic ERCC1 variants, including p.Arg156Trp and p.Ala266Pro, who exhibited a distinct clinical phenotype. All individuals presented with growth restriction, photosensitivity, and kidney and liver dysfunction. Notably, three children required liver transplants. Hepatocellular carcinoma developed in four children, resulting in two deaths, including one following treatment with doxorubicin and cisplatin. Older individuals exhibited additional features, including ataxia, basal cell carcinomas, pancreatic insufficiency, ovarian failure, hypothyroidism, and restrictive lung disease. Functional assays using patient-derived fibroblasts demonstrated significant destabilization of the ERCC1-XPF complex and defects in NER and ICL repair. However, residual NER and ICL repair activity was observed, suggesting a hypomorphic effect of the missense variants, which were present either in the homozygous state or in trans with a predicted loss-of-function allele. We define ERCC1-hepatorenal syndrome as a severe, multisystem DNA repair disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality, including a significant risk of pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma. We propose management guidelines emphasizing cancer surveillance and caution with chemotherapy to minimize treatment-related toxicity.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 10","pages":"1252-1263"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01910-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144667477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comment on \"Determining a role for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in genomic data governance for cancer care.\"","authors":"Clara Fabian-Therond","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01908-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-025-01908-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144667478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yunjia Liu, Ze Meng, Indra Adrianto, Albert M. Levin, Qing-Sheng Mi, Qiang Wang, Hongsheng Gui
{"title":"Uncovering genetic diversity and admixture of British Africans with HLA alleles inferred from whole genome sequencing","authors":"Yunjia Liu, Ze Meng, Indra Adrianto, Albert M. Levin, Qing-Sheng Mi, Qiang Wang, Hongsheng Gui","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01888-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01888-9","url":null,"abstract":"The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region is highly diverse and plays a crucial role in immune regulation and antigen presentation. Accurate HLA typing is essential for understanding disease susceptibility, transplantation compatibility, and pharmacogenetics. However, its application in African descent populations is challenging due to complex linkage disequilibrium patterns and the lack of ancestry-matched populations in HLA reference panels. Here, we leveraged the latest whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from UK Biobank African individuals to perform better HLA genotyping, and further utilized allelic and haplotypic data to explore population genetics patterns of this region. With WGS-inferred HLA alleles, we identified specific admixture patterns (predominant West and East African and minor European ancestries) within British African population, revealing their complex evolutionary history. Not only did we reveal the genetic diversity within this population, but also highlighted its differences from African Americans, ancestral Africans, and other global populations. We further identified regional ancestry differences in the HLA genomic region, highlighting discordance between global and local admixture estimates. British Africans also presented unique HLA frequency distributions for both typical and disease-associated alleles or haplotypes. These findings emphasize the need for expanding African-specific HLA reference panel and prove better HLA typing can be achieved by coupling sequencing technologies with computational approaches. The HLA genetic characteristics observed in British Africans provide valuable insights into population-specific immune responses and susceptibility. Overall, this study advances our understanding of HLA diversity and genetic admixture in British African population, with important implications for both disease mechanism and clinical utility.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 8","pages":"1057-1065"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01888-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144648896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christopher M H Bruenger, Frank Oeffner, Laura L Koebbe, Sebastian Zimmer, Verena Veulemans, Matti Adam, Jessica Bigge, Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach, Malte Kelm, Stephan Baldus, Markus M Nöthen, Georg Nickenig, Carlo Maj, Baravan Al-Kassou, Johannes Schumacher
{"title":"Implications of monogenic bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) forms among sporadic BAV patients","authors":"Christopher M H Bruenger, Frank Oeffner, Laura L Koebbe, Sebastian Zimmer, Verena Veulemans, Matti Adam, Jessica Bigge, Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach, Malte Kelm, Stephan Baldus, Markus M Nöthen, Georg Nickenig, Carlo Maj, Baravan Al-Kassou, Johannes Schumacher","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01909-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01909-7","url":null,"abstract":"Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) represents the most common congenital heart defect and is genetically heterogeneous. While the majority of cases results from common risk variants that confer disease cumulatively, a small proportion of BAV cases has a monogenic etiology where penetrant rare variants (RVs) in single genes are disease causing. We assessed the proportion of monogenic BAV cases in 740 non-syndromic and non-familial BAV patients that should be representative for cardiovascular centers of maximum care. We used next generation sequencing- (NGS-) based single-molecule molecular inversion probes (smMIPs) and analyzed all monogenic BAV genes that have been identified so far (NOTCH1, SMAD6, ROBO4, GATA4, GATA6, and ADAMTS19). In these genes, we identified potential damaging RVs in 2% of our patients, which were not significantly enriched compared to 726 population-based controls. We conclude that the contribution of monogenic BAV forms is only small among non-syndromic and sporadic BAV patients.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 9","pages":"1203-1206"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01909-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144616904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erin Tutty, Belinda J. McClaren, Sharon Lewis, Kristine Barlow-Stewart, Tiffany Boughtwood, Jade Caruana, Jane L. Halliday, Edwin P. Kirk, Nigel G. Laing, John Massie, Martin B. Delatycki, Alison D. Archibald
{"title":"Revising the reproductive story: psychosocial and reproductive impacts 12 months after reproductive genetic carrier screening","authors":"Erin Tutty, Belinda J. McClaren, Sharon Lewis, Kristine Barlow-Stewart, Tiffany Boughtwood, Jade Caruana, Jane L. Halliday, Edwin P. Kirk, Nigel G. Laing, John Massie, Martin B. Delatycki, Alison D. Archibald","doi":"10.1038/s41431-025-01903-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41431-025-01903-z","url":null,"abstract":"The responsible implementation of reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS) involves understanding the long-term psychosocial and reproductive impacts of results. This mixed-methods study examined these impacts within ‘Mackenzie’s Mission’, an Australia-wide study that offered couple-based RGCS for >1280 genes to 10,000 reproductive couples. Data from participant surveys completed at enrolment and 12 months post-result were analysed. Participants with an increased chance result were interviewed. Reflexive thematic analysis, guided by Interpretive Description was used. 4948 participants (27% response) completed the 12 month post-result survey. Most had minimal decision regret (median ≤5, 0 = no regret, 100 = high regret) and high reproductive confidence. Participants found to have an increased chance result had elevated anxiety (n = 116, median = 39 out of 80, clinically meaningful is ≥40). Interviewees (N = 19, from 16 couples) felt their increased chance result “change[d] everything” about their reproductive plans. Although revising their reproductive plan was an emotionally complex “journey”, participants were “grateful” for the information. The concept of the ‘Reproductive Story’, was used to interpret the results. A reproductive story refers to a person’s expected narrative about parenthood that, if altered, can cause psychosocial distress. Receiving an increased chance result disrupts the reproductive story. By 12 months post-result, most people with an increased chance result felt empowered to revise their reproductive story, but anxiety was elevated. Findings suggest a need for longitudinal models of post-RGCS psychosocial support.","PeriodicalId":12016,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Human Genetics","volume":"33 8","pages":"1035-1043"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-025-01903-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144599839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}