PGxEIP Study: Exploring Views on PGx Testing Implementation in EIP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PGxEIP Qualitative Study: What are stakeholder views on the Implementation of Pharmacogenetic (PGx) Testing to support antipsychotic prescribing in Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) cohorts?
IRAS ID
306371
Contact name
Samantha L McLean
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bradford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 4 days
Research summary
Antipsychotics help treat and manage symptoms of first episode psychosis (FEP). Approximately 50% of people experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to antipsychotics and 30% of people do not respond therapeutically. This contributes to low levels of adherence with antipsychotics. Poor adherence to antipsychotics during and following first episode psychosis leads poorer long-term outcomes for patients.
Pharmacogenetic testing involves testing a patient sample for variation in genetic sequence that may influence their response to a medicine. Studies have demonstrated certain genetic variants are linked to an altered response to antipsychotics leading to high or low levels of drug in the blood. Using this information when prescribing, can allow for the dose or selection of antipsychotic to be tailored and personalised to match the patient’s genetic profile. This can reduce prevalence of ADRs and increase the chance of therapeutic response, which may improve adherence and realise associated benefits.
AIM: understand stakeholder views towards using pharmacogenetic testing as an antipsychotic prescribing aid in FEP.
Over 9 months the study will explore the views of early intervention in psychosis (EIP) stakeholders towards using pharmacogenetic testing in FEP. Focus groups with MDT members will include a total of 24-40 participants, while a separate focus group will include 6-10 carers and 15-20 patients will be interviewed. MDT members will include those involved in the care of patients with FEP. Patients will have a current or working diagnosis of FEP and carers will be family members who support patients with FEP. Focus groups and interviews will be recorded and transcribed, before analysing the data using a six-phase approach to reflexive thematic analysis.
Study findings will inform the design of further studies exploring the pathway to implementation of pharmacogenetic testing to support antipsychotic prescribing and help inform the uptake of pharmacogenomics to support antipsychotic prescribing in EIP services.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0260
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion