Medicine and Man

New England Journal of Medicine had published a paper in Aug 2, 2007 titled – “Genomewide association analysis of coronary artery disease.” In this article, the investigators analyzed the entire human genome in an effort to identify genes causing heart attacks and in the process try to predict the risk of heart attack in individuals.

Here is my take on it:

(I have analyzed the article according to a recent series of papers published in JAMA – for more details see here)

(I have removed a few slides from the presentation due to copyright issues)

In spite of having found a genetic association, the risk prediction provided by genetic profiling does not provide enough information to supplant current clinical risk factors (Framingham risk factors and the PROCAM risk score)

Bottom Line: The Home DNA kits that are being marketed provide very little information above and beyond clinical risk profile that physicians already use (atleast for now!)