Purpose: Recent genome wide-association studies have identified hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with common complex diseases. With the momentum of these discoveries comes a need to communicate this information to individuals.
Methods: The Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative is an observational research study designed to evaluate the utility of personalized genomic information in health care. Participants provide saliva samples for genotyping and complete extensive on-line medical history, family history, and lifestyle questionnaires. Only results for diseases deemed potentially actionable by an independent advisory board are reported.
Results: We present our methodology for developing personalized reports containing risks for both genetic and nongenetic factors. Risk estimates are given as relative risk, derived or reported from representative peer-reviewed publications. Estimates of disease prevalence are also provided. Presenting risk as relative risk allows for consistent reporting across multiple diseases and across genetic and nongenetic factors. Using this approach eliminates the need for assumptions regarding population lifetime risk estimates. Publications used for risk reporting are selected based on the strength of the design and study quality.
Conclusion: Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative risk reports demonstrate an approach to communicating risk of complex disease via the web that encompasses risks due to genetic variants along with risks caused by family history and lifestyle factors.