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Patient preference regarding first-trimester aneuploidy risk assessment
Geeta Sharma1, Heather T Gold, Frank A Chervenak
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA. gs655@columbia.edu
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 6, 2005
Summary
Most patients prefer early disclosure of first-trimester Down syndrome screening results. Older patients and those with more knowledge preferred immediate results, and were more likely to consider termination.
Area of Science:
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Prenatal Diagnosis
- Genetics
Background:
- First-trimester screening offers early Down syndrome risk assessment.
- Current practices vary regarding the timing of result disclosure.
- Patient preferences for disclosure timing are crucial for informed decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient preferences for disclosing first-trimester Down syndrome risk assessment results.
- To compare immediate disclosure (sequential testing) versus delayed disclosure (integrated testing).
Main Methods:
- Prospective, voluntary, anonymous survey administered to pregnant patients undergoing first-trimester screening.
- Survey included descriptions and comparisons of sequential and integrated testing options.
- 101 women completed the questionnaire.
Main Results:
- 69.3% of patients preferred immediate disclosure (sequential testing).
- Older patients and those with better background knowledge favored earlier disclosure (P = .035 and P = .026).
- Patients preferring earlier disclosure were more likely to prefer termination of an affected pregnancy (P = .013).
Conclusions:
- A majority of patients prefer early disclosure of first-trimester Down syndrome risk.
- Patient demographics and understanding influence preferences for disclosure timing.
- Earlier disclosure preference is associated with a higher likelihood of considering pregnancy termination.