Genetic markers to predict polygenic disease: a new problem for social genetics.
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Many genetic markers that relate to common multifactorial disease in adults have been identified during the past 15 years. Their use as adjuncts for the diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of disease or targeting therapy for these disorders has begun, good examples being the Factor V Leiden mutation for venous-thromboembolism, lipoprotein lipase mutations for hypertriglyceridaemia and the apolipoprotein E4 variant for Alzheimer's dementia. However, extensive gene-gene and gene-environment interactions make their use more complex than markers for the simpler monogenic disorders (such as cystic fibrosis, or Duchenne's muscular dystrophy). Possible misapplication of the genetic markers for multifactorial disease in the fields of risk prediction, direct sales to the public, life assurance, employment rights, and legislation for regulation of their use are discussed. (+info)
Annual report of Council, 1986-1987: medical ethics.(2/42)
Changes in finances, insurance, employment, and lifestyle among persons diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia.
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BACKGROUND: While being cured of cancer generally leads to a life expectancy similar to that of the general population, the extent to which other aspects of life are affected is unknown. To address these concerns, patients with hairy cell leukemia, a cancer with a very high cure rate, were queried about employment, insurance, finances, and lifestyle during and following their treatment. METHODS: Study participants (n = 31) ranging in age from 24 to 73 years at the time of diagnosis (median, 49 years) were surveyed regarding changes in health and life insurance, employment, out-of-pocket medical costs, exercise, diet, and use of mental and alternative health services that occurred during or following hairy cell leukemia treatment. RESULTS: Following a diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia, 61.3% of the respondents paid for some aspect of medical care in spite of having health insurance coverage at the time of diagnosis. Four respondents (12.9%) could not obtain health insurance following treatment, and the occupational choices of several individuals or their spouses were based in large part on a desire to obtain or maintain comprehensive health insurance. Of the 13 individuals who attempted to purchase life insurance, 10 had difficulty obtaining a policy or were denied coverage. Lifestyle changes were noted by 40% to 60% of respondents, and included reports of more frequent exercise, adoption of a healthier diet, and having a greater appreciation for life, loved ones, and physical health. CONCLUSIONS: While hairy cell leukemia is a highly curable malignancy, cancer survivors' lives and lifestyles are altered substantially after receiving treatment for the illness. (+info)
Getting insurance after genetic screening on familial hypercholesterolaemia; the need to educate both insurers and the public to increase adherence to national guidelines in The Netherlands.
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Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant inherited metabolic disease with a prevalence of 1 in 500 in most Western countries. People with FH experience an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) and excess mortality especially at a young age. Until recently the diagnosis of FH was based on clinical signs and symptoms alone. These included increased cholesterol concentrations, in particular of LDL-cholesterol, in combination with the presence of tendon xanthoma, corneal arcus, xanthelasmata and a history of early CAD. Frequently FH was diagnosed after a first cardiac event. (+info)
Insurance problems among inflammatory bowel disease patients: results of a Dutch population based study.
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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a normal life expectancy and therefore should not be weighted when applying for life assurance. There is scant literature on this topic. In this study our aim was to document and compare the incidence of difficulties in application for life and medical insurance in a population based cohort of IBD patients and matched population controls. METHODS: A population based case control study of 1126 IBD patients and 1723 controls. Based on a detailed questionnaire, the frequency and type of difficulties encountered when applying for life and medical insurance in matched IBD and control populations were appraised. RESULTS: In comparison with controls, IBD patients had an 87-fold increased risk of encountering difficulties when applying for life assurance (odds ratio (OR) 87 (95% confidence interval (CI) 31-246)), with a heavily weighted premium being the most common problem. Patients of high educational status, with continuous disease activity, and who smoked had the highest odds of encountering such problems. Medical insurance difficulties were fivefold more common in IBD patients compared with controls (OR 5.4 (95% CI 2.3-13)) although no specific disease or patient characteristics were identified as associated with such difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detailed case control study that has investigated insurance difficulties among IBD patients. Acquiring life and medical insurance constituted a major problem for IBD patients in this study. These results are likely to be more widely representative given that most insurance companies use international guidelines for risk assessment. In view of the recent advances in therapy and promising survival data on IBD patients, evidence based guidelines for risk assessment of IBD patients by insurance companies should be drawn up to prevent possible discriminatory practices. (+info)
Genetic information and life insurance: a 'real' risk?
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Public concern about genetic discrimination, particularly access to insurance following genetic testing, has been reported in the literature. This paper aims to separate myths from realities regarding genetic discrimination in life insurance and to underline the positive aspects of allowing insurers access to relevant genetic information for underwriting purposes. We present a review of the literature pertinent to discrimination in life insurance and a comparative analysis of industries guidelines. There are few reported cases in the literature of validated genetic discrimination. However, the benefits to be gained by allowing insurers access to relevant genetic data could justify fostering a more active role in the use of genetic information by insurance companies. (+info)
Risky business: insuring adults with congenital heart disease.
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Accurate prognostication in congenital heart disease is vital for purposes of obtaining insurance, yet can be problematic for patients, physicians and insurers. This article discusses the scope of the problem, and describes the process of evaluating life insurance. Mortality data as well as predictors of adverse outcomes for individual congenital heart lesions are reviewed. Practical tips for patients and their physicians are given to aid in successful application for insurance. To expand the possibility of future patients obtaining insurance coverage, the ongoing reporting and constant updating of very long-term survival data in congenital heart disease is emphasized. (+info)
A survey of state insurance commissioners concerning genetic testing and life insurance.
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Rapid advances in genetic testing have stimulated growing concern about the potential for misuse of genetic data by insurance companies, employers, and other third parties. Thus far, reports of genetically based discrimination in life insurance have been anecdotal. Reasoning that state insurance commissioners were likely to be aware of (1) the extent of current use of and interest in genetic tests by life insurers and (2) consumer complaints about insurance being denied because of genetic condition or because of genetic test results, we conducted a survey of that group. We received responses from 42 of the 51 jurisdictions. Our results suggest (1) that those who regulate the life insurance industry do not yet perceive genetic testing to pose a significant problem in how insurers rate applicants, (2) that life insurers have much legal latitude to require genetic tests, and (3) that so far few consumers have formally complained to commissioners about the use of genetic data by life insurers. (+info)