Original Article
Volume: 2 | Issue: 1 | Published: Jan 01, 2019 | Pages: 18 - 27 | DOI: 10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1538333316
Agreement within couples on choosing preimplantation genetic diagnosis versus pre-natal diagnosis: perspective from Saudi population.
Authors:
Fawz AlHarthi
, Moeen Al Sayed
, Ahmed Yaqinuddin
, Gulsan Abubakar Karbani
, Ameera Salem Blobaid
, Monika Maya Wahi
Article Info
Authors
Moeen Al Sayed
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Medical Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Yaqinuddin
Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Gulsan Abubakar Karbani
Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ameera Salem Blobaid
Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Publication History
Received: September 14, 2018
Accepted: May 01, 2019
Published: January 01, 2019
Abstract
Background: Couples who are at risk for having an infant with a serious genetic disorder can benefit from pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), but many couples still opt for the riskier pre-natal diagnosis (PND). Although couples make this decision together, the male and the female in the couple may have different attitudes toward choosing PGD vs. PND. The objective of this study was to determine if men and women in the same couple with at least one child with a genetic disorder will have significantly different attitudes toward choosing PGD vs. PND. Methodology: In this cross-sectional clinical study, couples with at least one child with a genetic disease attending the King Faisal Specialist Hospital Research Center, Genetic Counseling Clinic (KFSH-RC, GCC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were asked to complete an anonymous survey about their attitudes towards PGD vs. PND. The responses were compared between men and women in couples. The study was conducted during May 2017. Results: A total of 38 couples provided complete surveys. In terms of preference for PGD vs. PND, there were no significant differences in aggregate between men and women (p > 0.05). Over half the couples agreed (were concordant) on all statements about PGD vs. PND. An almost equal number of couples with members who disagreed (were discordant) had women preferring PND vs. men preferring PND compared to PGD. Conclusion: This study showed that members of couples sampled were generally in agreement about their preference for PGD vs. PND. Among discordant couples, there was no preference among women for PGD vs. PND. Studies like this are important to help clinicians understand intra-couple dynamics in genetic counseling.
Keywords: Genetic Counseling, preimplantation diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis, consanguinity, health knowledge, attitudes, practice