Kidney Week

Abstract: PO1657

Perceived Clinical Utility and Barriers to Genetic Testing in the Adult CKD Population: A Survey of General Nephrologists

Session Information

• Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys: Non-Cystic - 2
  October 22, 2020 | Location: On-Demand
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys

• 1002 Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys: Non-Cystic

Authors

• McKanna, Trudy, Natera, Inc, San Carlos, California, United States

Trudy McKanna,

• Gauthier, Philippe M., Natera, Inc, San Carlos, California, United States

Philippe M. Gauthier,

• Seto, Christine, Natera, Inc, San Carlos, California, United States

Christine Seto,

• Chong, Christin, Natera, Inc, San Carlos, California, United States

Christin Chong,

• Johnson, Monica L., Natera, Inc, San Carlos, California, United States

Monica L. Johnson,

Background

Genetic testing for chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to personalized medicine, family planning opportunities, and living kidney donor screening.¹ Comprehensive genetic testing in CKD patients with a suspected genetic cause or predisposition is important for accurate diagnosis.² However, the uptake of genetic testing in the general nephrology setting lags behind other specialties.³ There exists a lack of information on barriers perceived by nephrologists on genetic testing.

This survey aims to understand the current barriers and perceptions to performing genetic testing for kidney disease in a general nephrology setting. We describe here in brief the survey design and preliminary results

Methods

An online, multiple choice survey was sent to 400 general nephrologists in clinical practice to elicit feedback on the use of genetic testing in clinical nephrology care. The questions focused on perceived clinical utility and potential barriers to ordering genetic testing.

Results

Early findings suggest that while clinical utility is acknowledged in many situations, there are opportunities to provide physician education regarding test results and insurance coverage that may increase test adoption. The perceived lack of genetic counseling resources and ethical concerns may inhibit the ordering of genetic testing in patients with CKD. We will present results from the complete dataset of responses to this survey of practicing general nephrologists and provide insights into their concerns about ordering genetic testing.

Conclusion

The survey results will assess current opinions on the utility of genetic testing in an adult CKD population, and identify barriers to ordering this test. Second, survey results will aid in development of targeted strategies to increase utilization of genetic testing.
1. Groopman, EE al., N Engl J Med. 2019;380(2):142–51. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa18068912019
2. Wilson PC et al., Kidney360 May 2020, 10.34067/KID.0001342020; DOI: 10.34067/KID.00013420203.
3. Saez-Rodriguez, J et al., Kidney Int. 2019 Jun;95(6):1326–37. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.11.048. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Funding

• Commercial Support –