Whole exome sequencing in neurogenetic odysseys: An effective, cost- and time-saving diagnostic approach

Background Diagnostic trajectories for neurogenetic disorders frequently require the use of considerable time and resources, exposing patients and families to so-called “diagnostic odysseys”. Previous studies have provided strong evidence for increased diagnostic and clinical utility of whole-exome...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Córdoba, Marta, Rodríguez Quiroga, Sergio Alejandro, Vega, Patricia Analía, Salinas, Valeria, Perez Maturo, Josefina, Amartino, Hernán, Vásquez Dusefante, Cecilia, Medina, Nancy, González Morón, Dolores, Kauffman, Marcelo Andres
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:Argentina
Institución:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/88751
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/88751
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:NEUROGENETICS
EXOME SEQUENCING
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES/ECONOMICS
DIAGNOSTIC ODDYSEYS
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3.2
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3
Descripción
Sumario:Background Diagnostic trajectories for neurogenetic disorders frequently require the use of considerable time and resources, exposing patients and families to so-called “diagnostic odysseys”. Previous studies have provided strong evidence for increased diagnostic and clinical utility of whole-exome sequencing in medical genetics. However, specific reports assessing its utility in a setting such as ours- a neurogeneticist led academic group serving in a low-income country—are rare. Objectives To assess the diagnostic yield of WES in patients suspected of having a neurogenetic condition and explore the cost-effectiveness of its implementation in a research group located in an Argentinean public hospital. Methods This is a prospective study of the clinical utility of WES in a series of 40 consecutive patients selected from a Neurogenetic Clinic of a tertiary Hospital in Argentina. We evaluated patients retrospectively for previous diagnostic trajectories. Diagnostic yield, clinical impact on management and economic diagnostic burden were evaluated. Results We demonstrated the clinical utility of Whole Exome Sequencing in our patient cohort, obtaining a diagnostic yield of 40% (95% CI, 24.8%-55.2%) among a diverse group of neurological disorders. The average age at the time of WES was 23 (range 3–70). The mean time elapsed from symptom onset to WES was 11 years (range 3–42). The mean cost of the diagnostic workup prior to WES was USD 1646 (USD 1439 to 1853), which is 60% higher than WES cost in our center. Conclusions WES for neurogenetics proved to be an effective, cost- and time-saving approach for the molecular diagnosis of this heterogeneous and complex group of patients.