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Halverson CME, Doyle TA, Vershaw S. Social media use by patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2024; 12:e2467. [PMID: 38860470 PMCID: PMC11165341 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with uncommon genetic conditions often face limited in-person resources for social and informational support. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is a rare or underdiagnosed hereditary disorder of the connective tissue, and like those with similar diseases, patients with hEDS have begun to turn to social media in search of care and community. The aims of our study were to understand the usage habits and perceptions of utility of social media use for patients with hEDS in order to formulate suggestions for how clinicians may best engage these and similar patient populations about this topic. METHODS We conducted both a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews with patients who had received a robust clinical diagnosis of hEDS. RESULTS Twenty-four individuals completed the initial survey, and a subset of 21 of those participants completed an interview. Through thematic analysis, we identified four primary themes related to their experience with social media: (1) befriending others with their disease, (2) seeking and vetting information, (3) the risks and downsides of social media use, and (4) the desire for clinicians to discuss this topic with them. CONCLUSION We conclude by proposing five suggestions that emerge empirically from our data. These proposals will help clinicians engage their patients regarding social media use in order to promote its potential benefits and circumvent its potential harms as they pursue support for their hereditary condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M. E. Halverson
- Department of Medicine, Center for BioethicsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Department of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Department of AnthropologyIndiana UniversityIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Regenstrief InstituteIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Charles Warren Fairbanks Center for Medical EthicsIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Tom A. Doyle
- Department of Medicine, Center for BioethicsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Samantha Vershaw
- Department of Medicine, Center for BioethicsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
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Baynam G, Gomez R, Jain R. Stigma associated with genetic testing for rare diseases-causes and recommendations. Front Genet 2024; 15:1335768. [PMID: 38638122 PMCID: PMC11024281 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1335768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Rare disease (RD) is a term used to describe numerous, heterogeneous diseases that are geographically disparate. Approximately 400 million people worldwide live with an RD equating to roughly 1 in 10 people, with 71.9% of RDs having a genetic origin. RDs present a distinctive set of challenges to people living with rare diseases (PLWRDs), their families, healthcare professionals (HCPs), healthcare system, and societies at large. The possibility of inheriting a genetic disease has a substantial social and psychological impact on affected families. In addition to other concerns, PLWRDs and their families may feel stigmatized, experience guilt, feel blamed, and stress about passing the disease to future generations. Stigma can affect all stages of the journey of PLWRDs and their families, from pre-diagnosis to treatment access, care and support, and compliance. It adversely impacts the quality of life of RD patients. To better explore the impact of stigma associated with genetic testing for RDs, we conducted a literature search on PubMed and Embase databases to identify articles published on stigma and RDs from January 2013 to February 2023. There is a dearth of literature investigating the dynamics of stigma and RD genetic testing. The authors observed that the research into the implications of stigma for patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and potential interventions is limited. Herein, the authors present a review of published literature on stigma with a focus on RD genetic testing, the associated challenges, and possible ways to address these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Baynam
- Undiagnosed Diseases Program -WA, Genetic Services of WA, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia
- Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia
- Rare Care Centre, Perth Children’s Hospital, Subiaco, WA, Australia
| | - Roy Gomez
- Emerging Asia Medical Lead–Specialty Care, Pfizer, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ritu Jain
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- DEBRA International, Asia Pacific Alliance of Rare Disease Organizations, Singapore, Singapore
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Hakim Zada F, Ahmad Azahari AHS, Wong SW, Ali A, Ismail NAS. Understanding Challenges of Genetic Testing on Neuromuscular Disorders from the Parental Lens. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1652. [PMID: 38138879 PMCID: PMC10744978 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders, characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, present substantial challenges to both affected individuals and their families. Genetic testing assumes a pivotal role in facilitating early diagnosis, intervention, treatment, and informed family planning for these conditions. The objective of this qualitative study is to delve into the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions surrounding genetic testing within the cohort of parents caring for individuals with neuromuscular disorders in Malaysia. A semi-structured interview approach was employed to elicit data from parents of individuals diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders, encompassing those with clinical diagnoses and those diagnosed through genetic testing. Examination of the interview responses yielded nine overarching themes, which furnish invaluable insights into the perspectives of Malaysian parents concerning genetic testing. The study discerned several challenges associated with genetic testing, notably encompassing the limited awareness among parents, the financial constraints associated with genetic testing, and the perceived significance of genetic testing in the context of neuromuscular disorders. The findings suggest that the level of knowledge and awareness pertaining to genetic testing for neuromuscular disorders among parents in Malaysia varies, with initial levels of awareness ranging from relatively low to reasonably sufficient prior to and following the birth of an affected child. However, the investigation revealed that parents tended to cultivate more favorable perceptions regarding genetic testing subsequent to their experience with genetic counseling. This underscores the potential for heightened awareness and comprehension as a consequence of the personal experience of parenting an affected child confirmed through genetic testing and genetic counseling, ultimately influencing parental awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farheen Hakim Zada
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.H.Z.); (A.H.S.A.A.); (S.W.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Ahmad Hazim Syakir Ahmad Azahari
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.H.Z.); (A.H.S.A.A.); (S.W.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Sau Wei Wong
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.H.Z.); (A.H.S.A.A.); (S.W.W.); (A.A.)
| | - Adli Ali
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (F.H.Z.); (A.H.S.A.A.); (S.W.W.); (A.A.)
- Research Centre, Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail
- Research Centre, Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
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Pathak GN, Chandy RJ, Naini V, Razi S, Feldman SR. A Social Media Analysis of Pemphigus. JMIR DERMATOLOGY 2023; 6:e50011. [PMID: 37856177 PMCID: PMC10623221 DOI: 10.2196/50011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
An analysis of the pemphigus content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube social media platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Nitin Pathak
- Department of Dermatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Rithi John Chandy
- Department of Dermatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Vidisha Naini
- Department of Dermatology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Shazli Razi
- Department of Dermatology, Rao Dermatology, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ, United States
| | - Steven R Feldman
- Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Department of Dermatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Gunter C, Solomon BD. Whither social media and clinical genetics? Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:1489-1491. [PMID: 36863700 PMCID: PMC10175227 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Social media has become ubiquitous in daily life, and increasingly impacts medical and scientific fields, including related to clinical genetics. Recent events have led to questions about the use of certain social media platforms, as well as social media more generally. We discuss these considerations, including alternative and emerging platforms that can offer forums for the clinical genetics and related communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Gunter
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Office of the Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Solomon
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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