We are excited to share journal publications like this one resulting from FORWARD data. There are many more papers currently in development, and the future for Fragile X syndrome research is bright as more data is gathered.
Importance of a Specialty Clinic for Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome
Abstract
Advances in human genetics have identified a significant number of genetic disorders associated with intellectual disability. As a result, appropriate clinical management of these affected individuals and their family members have become critical in addressing medical needs to improve quality of life. We examine the importance of a Fragile X Clinic for individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and their family members by conducting a retrospective chart review of 123 new patients with FXS evaluated at the Fragile X Clinic at Emory University. After the initial diagnosis of a proband with FXS with cascade testing, there were 345 family members identified with a mutation (70% with premutations; 30% with full mutations). In terms of the impact of the clinic visit, males had a substantial number of new diagnoses in all behavioral disorders (P < 0.001), with anxiety (62%) being the most common. For female probands, the most frequent diagnosis was also anxiety (87%). Prior to the clinic visit, very few patients were prescribed psychotropic medications. After the clinic visit, the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications for males were stimulants (41%; P < 0.001) and SSRIs (40%; P < 0.001). For females, only stimulants (33%; P = 0.03) and SSRIs (44%; P = 0.008) were statistically significantly prescribed. Our results revealed that there is a gap in care to address the co-morbid behavioral issues, psychopharmacologic medication management, and genetic counseling needs regarding FXS. A multidisciplinary setting and approach, such as that offered by a Fragile X Clinic, is one method of treating the complex needs of patients with FXS.
Visootsak, J., Kidd, S. A., Anderson, T., Bassell, J. L., Sherman, S. L., & Berry-Kravis, E. M. (2016). Importance of a specialty clinic for individuals with fragile X syndrome. American journal of medical genetics. Part A, 170(12), 3144–3149. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.37982
About the FORWARD Registry & Database
FORWARD is made possible by all the participating families sharing their life experiences for research. By giving families, doctors, scientific researchers, and policymakers an inside look into how Fragile X syndrome presents itself across the human lifespan, you’re involvement is a huge contribution toward more positive health outcomes and better care and services for future generations.
Below are more journal publications resulting from FORWARD data.
more from forward
Latent Class Analysis Identifies Distinctive Behavioral Subtypes in Children with Fragile X Syndrome
FORWARD // Among the different models resulting from the latent class analysis, a 5-class solution yielded the most clinically meaningful pharmacotherapy-independent behavioral subtypes.
Examination of Correlates to Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome
FORWARD // We examined the nature and degree of association between health-related quality of life and established measures of functioning in FXS; 155 parents completed the questionnaires on their child as part of the larger CDC-funded FORWARD study.