Myriad Genetics Research Shows Reduction in Hospitalizations for Patients with Depression after GeneSight Testing
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The recent findings from Myriad Genetics regarding their GeneSight Psychotropic test present compelling evidence for the role of pharmacogenomics in personalized medicine, particularly in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The reported 39% relative reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations and 29% reduction in overall hospitalizations post-test implementation are significant metrics that suggest improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, the shift in prescribing patterns towards medications with fewer gene-drug interactions underscores the test's potential to enhance treatment efficacy and safety.
From a research perspective, these results could indicate a pivotal shift in how MDD is managed, potentially leading to a decrease in healthcare costs associated with hospital admissions. However, it is important to consider the broader implications, such as the impact on insurance coverage, the cost-benefit ratio of the testing and the scalability of such personalized approaches in diverse populations. Additionally, the long-term effects of pharmacogenomic-guided treatment on patient quality of life and healthcare system burden warrant further investigation.
The economic implications of the study by Myriad Genetics can be profound for the healthcare industry. A reduction in hospitalizations translates directly into cost savings for both healthcare providers and payers. With the GeneSight test leading to more tailored medication choices, there is a clear pathway to not only improved patient care but also more efficient resource utilization.
It is important to analyze the potential for widespread adoption of such tests and the consequent economic ripple effects. Reduced hospitalization rates could alleviate pressure on overburdened healthcare systems, potentially leading to better allocation of resources and improved access to care. The initial investment in pharmacogenomic testing could be offset by the savings from avoided hospital stays and reduced medication trial and error. Nonetheless, the adoption rates will hinge on factors such as insurance reimbursement policies and the test's cost-effectiveness in the long run.
The study's findings highlight the clinical utility of the GeneSight Psychotropic test in the context of MDD treatment. The observed decrease in prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions from 26.1% to 15.9% post-test adoption suggests that clinicians are better equipped to personalize medication regimens, potentially leading to fewer adverse drug reactions and improved treatment adherence.
Understanding the molecular basis of gene-drug interactions allows for a more nuanced approach to prescribing antidepressants, which are known for their variable response rates and side-effect profiles. The increase in prescriptions with no gene-drug interactions, from 27.5% to 47%, is indicative of a paradigm shift towards precision medicine. It's essential to consider the scalability of such testing and its integration into standard clinical practice, as well as the education of healthcare providers on interpreting and applying pharmacogenomic data.
Fewer patients were prescribed medications with gene-drug interactions after taking the GeneSight test
SALT LAKE CITY, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN), a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine, revealed results from a multi-year, real-world study of nearly 21,000 patients that indicated those with major depressive disorder had reduced healthcare utilization after taking the GeneSight® Psychotropic test.
“We are encouraged by the initial results of this study that showed how the proportion of patients with hospitalizations was significantly reduced after GeneSight testing,” said Dale Muzzey, chief scientific officer, Myriad Genetics. “This is the first step in a multi-phase analysis of real-world data to further demonstrate how the GeneSight test may improve clinical outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. We expect to share additional study results later this year.”
The study demonstrated that the percentage of patients with hospitalizations was significantly reduced 180 days after GeneSight testing:
39% relative reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations.29% relative reduction in hospitalizations for any reason.- Significant reduction in hospitalizations for patients who were switched to a medication with no or moderate gene-drug interactions.
The study found that, among patients who took the GeneSight test, there was a decrease in the proportion of patients who were prescribed medications with significant gene-drug interactions after taking the test:
- The percentage of patients who were prescribed medications in the significant gene-drug interaction category was reduced from
26.1% to15.9% . - The percentage of patients who were prescribed medications with no gene-drug interactions increased from
27.5% to47% .
“These data suggest that healthcare providers are using the GeneSight test to make medication decisions in the real-world,” said Holly Johnson, Ph.D, director of medical affairs at Myriad Genetics. “These results are consistent with multiple, prospective studies demonstrating the utility of pharmacogenomic-guided treatment for improving response and remission rates in major depressive disorder.”
About the Poster
Title: “Impact of Combinatorial Pharmacogenomic Testing on Hospitalization Rates in a Real-World Dataset of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder”
Authors: Andria L. Del Tredici, PhD; Priya Maheshwari, MS, RPh; Alexander Gutin, PhD; Devika Chawla, PhD; Katie Johansen Taber, PhD; Holly L. Johnson, PhD; Andrew A. Nierenberg, MD
Presenter: Priya Maheshwari, MS, RPh, senior medical information liaison at Myriad Genetics
Conference: American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) conference in Orlando, FL; presented on Monday, April 8, 2024
About the Study
The study analyzed a data set generated by linking more than a half million de-identified patients who received the GeneSight test to administrative insurance claims from a nationwide data warehouse in the United States. Nearly 21,000 depressed patients met inclusion criteria to be in the study. The study authors then evaluated this data set with regard to medications prescribed before and after GeneSight testing, as well as hospitalization rates before and after GeneSight testing. Future analysis of the data will include investigating the impact of post-PGx medication selection on total cost of care for depression.
About the GeneSight® Test
The GeneSight Psychotropic test from Myriad Genetics is the category-leading pharmacogenomic test for more than 60 medications commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions. The GeneSight test can help inform clinicians about how a patient’s genes may impact how they metabolize and/or respond to certain psychiatric medications. Tens of thousands of clinicians have ordered the GeneSight test for more than two million patients in order to receive genetic information that is unique to each patient. The GeneSight test supplements other information considered by a clinician as part of a comprehensive medical assessment. Learn more at GeneSight.com.
About Myriad Genetics
Myriad Genetics is a leading genetic testing and precision medicine company dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all. Myriad develops and offers genetic tests that help assess the risk of developing disease or disease progression and guide treatment decisions across medical specialties where genetic insights can significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.myriad.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including that the company expects to share additional study results later this year and future analysis of the data will include investigating the impact of post-PGx medication selection on total cost of care for depression. These “forward-looking statements” are management’s expectations of future events as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions, and events to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. Such factors include those risks described in the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2024, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. Myriad is not under any obligation, and it expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.
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