The investigators aim to test the introduction of genomic testing early in the diagnostic pathway for inherited bleeding disorders in patients who have not received a diagnosis after first-line testing. The goal of this clinical trial is to test the introduction of genomic testing early in the diagnostic pathway for patients referred to Hematology for a suspected inherited bleeding disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does adding early genomic testing increase the number of patients who are diagnosed? 2. Does adding early genomic testing decrease the overall time to diagnosis? 3. Is it cost-effective to include early genomic testing in the diagnostic pathway? The investigators will compare with a control group of participants who are receiving standard care (no early genomic testing). Participants will randomized to a standardized diagnostic testing plus early genomic testing group or to the standardized diagnostic testing group only (with the possibility of being offered genomic testing after 1 year in the study).
With the current standardized diagnostic testing process up to 50% of people referred with significant bleeding symptoms will be classified as bleeding disorder of unknown cause (BDUC), defined as those with a positive bleeding score but in whom all current diagnostic test results are repeatedly normal. Incorporating genomic testing early in the diagnostic pathway could significantly improve diagnostic yield, reduce diagnostic delay, alleviate patient anxiety, and allow for more prompt symptom recognition and targeted treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
212
Gene panel for bleeding: This analysis will look at a list of genes known to be associated with rare coagulation, platelet, connective tissue, and bleeding disorders. There are currently 318 genes on the panel however this list may be updated throughout the study. Genes of study include those on the the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) TIER-1 (the first group of genes are the diagnostic-grade) and TIER-2 gene list, as well as additional genes identified in published research.
Queen's University/Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGThe Ottawa Hospital
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGUnity Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGDiagnostic yield
Defined as the proportion of patients who achieve a final diagnosis at one year.
Time frame: One year
Time to diagnosis
The amount of time in weeks and/or months between initial Hematology visit and achieving a diagnosis of an inherited bleeding disorder
Time frame: One year
Patient Burden
This will be captured by patient reported survey. Will include data on: number of appointments for diagnosis, number of blood draws, travel (distance, mode, associated costs) and productivity loss questions (e.g. time spent away from work, wages lost, child/elder care costs).
Time frame: One year
Health Related Quality of Life
Will be determined using the PROMIS (Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System) Profile CAT (Computer Adaptive Testing) v1.0 - 29 for participants 18 and older, and the PROMIS Pediatric Profile GenPop (General Population) v3.0 - Profile-25 for participants 12-17. Each section consists of four items with five-point descriptive scales, except for pain intensity which has a 0-10 numerical rating scale. The sum of the item responses for each multi-item category is converted to a T-score where a score of 50 is the average for the US general population with a standard deviation of 10. Higher scores represent more of something. Therefore, for physical function, higher scores represent better health whereas for anxiety, higher scores represent poorer health.
Time frame: One year
Cost-effectiveness analysis
Will be measured by estimating the cost-effectiveness of the early genomic testing pathway compared with the standard diagnostic pathway (cost per diagnosis). This will be done by calculating the costs for each pathway along with the number of cases detected.
Time frame: 2 years
Budget Impact Analysis
Economic Impact will be measured by a budget impact analysis. This will be conducted from the healthcare system's perspective using standard techniques. In this model-based analysis, the incremental cost of testing for both the control and intervention arm will be determined, which will allow for detailed analysis on the economic impact of inserting genomic testing at different time points along the diagnostic algorithm.
Time frame: 2 years
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