The Wellness Genescreen represents an extension of the CVD multi-gene test, focused on reduced risk of chronic disorders and improved quality of life following medical treatment.
“Guard your heart
for it is the wellspring of life.”
The finding that genes may overlap between CVD and other complex conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, recurrent pregnancy loss, metabolic syndrome and some forms of cancer, has paved the way to a new approach in healthcare called pathology supported genetic testing . Risk management is based on the current health status of the individual in the context of genetic and lifestyle risk factors identified, irrespective of whether a genetic test was used to make the initial diagnosis of any existing disease. The different categories of genetic risk were carefully considered in relation to insurance issues and other ethical concerns, prior to the implementation of the genetic service in clinical practice.
The low-penetrance mutations included in the Wellness Genescreen (1) affect the function of the relevant gene products (proteins), (2) influence biological processes involved in disease development, and (3) have apparent metabolic/clinical implications, either alone or in combination with other genetic or environmental risk factors.
References
Kotze MJ, Schorn D, Coetzer P. The impact of genetic testing on life insurance. J Genomics Afr Soc 2004; 1(1): 1-11.
Kotze MJ, de Villiers JNP, van der Merwe SJ, Preventing organ damage by genetic testing for hereditary haemochromatosis. SA Fam Pract 2005; 47 (2) 44-45.
Kotze MJ, Badenhorst H. Chronic disease risk management: Combining genetic testing with medical and nutrition therapy. SA Fam Pract 2005; 47 (4): 40-42.
Kotze MJ, la Grange C, Mansvelt EPG. Rapid thrombophilia genetic test facilitates improved prenatal care for mother and child. SA Fam Pract 2005; 47 (7): 50-51.
Kotze MJ, Malan J, Pienaar R, Apffelstaedt J. The role of molecular genetic testing in modern health breast management. SA Fam Pract 2005; 47 (9): 38-40.
Kotze MJ, Thiart R, Hugo FJ, Potocnik FCW. Cardiovascular genetic assessment and treatment in middle age to reduce the risk of heart disease and dementia in old age. SA Fam Pract 2006; 48 (4): 53-54.
Van Velden DP, van der Merwe S, Fourie E, Kidd M, Blackhurst DM, Kotze MJ, Mansvelt EPG. The acute influence of a Mediterranean-like diet with and without red wine on patients with the metabolic syndrome. S Afr J Enol Vitic 2007; 44-49.
Kotze MJ, van Velden DP, Kidd M, Marnewick J. Genotype associations in South African patients with the metabolic syndrome. Afr J Psych 2011: 11.
Kotze MJ and van Rensburg SJ.Pathology supported genetic testing and treatment of cardiovascular disease in middle age for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Metab Brain Dis
2012; 27: 255-266.
Van der Merwe N, Bouwens CSH, Pienaar R, van der Merwe L, Yako Y, Geiger DH, Kotze MJ. CYP2D6 genotyping and use of antidepressants in breast cancer patients: Test development for clinical application. Metab Brain Dis 2012; 27: 319-326.
Kotze MJ, van Velden DP, Botha K, Badenhorst CH, Avenant H, van Rensburg SJ, Cronje FJ. Pathology-supported genetic testing directed at shared disease pathways for optimized health in later life. Personalized Medicine 2013; 10: 497-507.
Kotze MJ, Gamaldien J. Challenges, successes and current opportunities in whole exome sequencing. Specialist Forum 2013;13: 6-7.
