2023 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting Digital Edition: Poster Gallery-Effects of Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 Pandemic on Genetic Testing at a Diagnostic Reference Laboratory in Puerto Rico

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This study examines the effects of Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic on genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in Puerto Rico. The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of the number of individuals who underwent BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing at a diagnostic laboratory in Puerto Rico. They identified 1,803 individuals tested during two time periods: September 2016 to August 2018 and March 2019 to January 2021. The mean monthly number of individuals tested was compared between different time periods. <br /><br />The results showed that in the months following Hurricane Maria, the number of individuals undergoing genetic testing dropped by an average of 78% compared to the year before the hurricane. However, in the months of April through August, genetic testing increased by an average of 48%. In the year following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of individuals undergoing genetic testing dropped by an average of 25%. The largest monthly decrease during this period was 72%.<br /><br />Overall, the study found that fewer Puerto Ricans underwent genetic testing in the years following both Hurricane Maria and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there was a temporary increase in testing after Hurricane Maria, it was not enough to offset the significant decrease seen in the preceding months. The researchers suggest that emergency preparedness and mitigation measures are necessary after natural disasters to avoid disruptions in clinical testing and subsequent treatment.<br /><br />The study concludes that while both Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on genetic testing in Puerto Rico, the effect of Hurricane Maria was more dramatic. The average monthly year-over-year change in the number of genetic tests was slightly greater in the year after Hurricane Maria compared to the first year of the pandemic, but Hurricane Maria caused a larger percentage drop in the subsequent months.

Asset Subtitle

Presenting Author - Rebecca E. Nakles-Taylor, PhD; Co-Author - Elinette Albino, PhD; Co-Author - David Tsao, MS; Co-Author - Rebecca Chen, MS; Co-Author - Camille Nery, PhD; Co-Author - Izabela Karbassi, PhD, FACMG; Co-Author - Arlene Buller-Burckle, PhD, FACMG, HCLD, CGMB;

Meta Tag

Genetic Testing

Co-Author Elinette Albino, PhD

Co-Author David Tsao, MS

Co-Author Rebecca Chen, MS

Co-Author Camille Nery, PhD

Co-Author Izabela Karbassi, PhD, FACMG

Co-Author Arlene Buller-Burckle, PhD, FACMG, HCLD, CGMB

Presenting Author Rebecca E. Nakles-Taylor, PhD

Keywords

Hurricane Maria

COVID-19 pandemic

genetic testing

hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Puerto Rico

retrospective analysis

BRCA1

BRCA2

diagnostic laboratory

emergency preparedness