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Genetic Counseling as a Tool for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: A Genetic Counseling Framework for Common Polygenetic Disorders

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Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Advances in genetic epidemiology have increased understanding of common, polygenic preventable diseases such as type 2 diabetes. As genetic risk testing based on this knowledge moves into clinical practice, we propose that genetic counselors will need to expand their roles and adapt traditional counseling techniques for this new patient set. In this paper, we present a genetic counseling intervention developed for a clinical trial [Genetic Counseling/Lifestyle Change for Diabetes Prevention, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01034319] designed to motivate behavioral changes for diabetes prevention. Seventy-two phenotypically high-risk participants received counseling that included their diabetes genetic risk score, general education about diabetes risk factors, and encouragement to participate in a diabetes prevention program. Using two validated genetic counseling scales, participants reported favorable perceived control and satisfaction with the counseling session. Our intervention represents one model for applying traditional genetic counseling principles to risk testing for polygenetic, preventable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIDDK R21 DK84527). Dr. Meigs is supported by NIDDK K24 DK080140.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jessica L. Waxler & Barbara R. Pober

  2. Division of General Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Kelsey E. O’Brien & James B. Meigs

  3. Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Linda M. Delahanty & Jose C. Florez

  4. Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jose C. Florez

  5. Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Elyse R. Park

  6. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Linda M. Delahanty, James B. Meigs, Jose C. Florez, Elyse R. Park & Barbara R. Pober

  7. Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA

    Richard W. Grant

  8. 175 Cambridge St, Room 502, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Jessica L. Waxler

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  1. Jessica L. Waxler
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  2. Kelsey E. O’Brien
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  3. Linda M. Delahanty
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  4. James B. Meigs
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  5. Jose C. Florez
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  6. Elyse R. Park
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  7. Barbara R. Pober
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  8. Richard W. Grant
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Correspondence to Jessica L. Waxler.

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Waxler, J.L., O’Brien, K.E., Delahanty, L.M. et al. Genetic Counseling as a Tool for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: A Genetic Counseling Framework for Common Polygenetic Disorders. J Genet Counsel 21, 684–691 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-012-9486-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-012-9486-x

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