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Counseling and screening for cystic fibrosis in patients with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens: Patient perceptions
Author(s) -
Fitzpatrick Jennifer L.,
Hutton Elaine M.,
Babul Riyana,
Cytrynbaum Cheryl S.,
Sutherland Joanne E.,
Shuman Cheryl T.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/bf01408661
Subject(s) - cystic fibrosis , genetic counseling , medicine , vas deferens , population , gynecology , sperm retrieval , psychosocial , reproductive medicine , infertility , pediatrics , family medicine , azoospermia , psychiatry , genetics , biology , pregnancy , environmental health
Congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) occurs in approximately 1.3% of infertile males and is thought to be, in most cases, a primarily genital form of cystic fibrosis (CF). Fourteen males with CBAVD considering microsurgical sperm aspiration from the epididymis (MESA) and in vitro fertilization were seen for genetic counseling and screening for CF. To retrospectively evaluate these patients' perceptions of the counseling and screening information, we conducted structured telephone interviews to assess their recall of information about CF and its impact on their health concerns and reproductive plans. We found that, as the health implications of CF are abstract and not as important to patients as the diagnosis of CBAVD itself, patients tend to view their CF status primarily in terms of their reproductive potential. Retrospective analysis afforded us an opportunity to identify the psychosocial issues of most concern to this unique patient population.