Consciousness survey regarding genetic diagnosis of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism

Abstract

A Consciousness survey regarding genetic diagnosis of GSTM1 and ALDH2 was performed to evaluate the potential use of such a diagnosis in supporting those wanting to stop smoking and decrease alcohol intake. A questionnaire was given to 1,654 employees (male: 1,225, female: 429) who worked at an LSI manufacturing factory, and 1,434/1,654 (86.7%) responded to the survey. The number of respondents who replied that they "wanted to know the results of the genetic diagnosis of GSTM1 and ALDH2" were 731/1,401 (52.2%) and 812/1,434 (56.6%), respectively while the numbers of respondents who replied that they "did not want to know the results" were 138/1,401 (9.9%) and 103/1,434 (7.2%), respectively. The main reasons given for wanting to know the results of the genetic diagnosis of their enzymes reflected the respondents' awareness of their genetic susceptibility. These reasons included a desire to know the effects of tobacco smoke, to prevent diseases in the future, to know the effects of passive smoking or to know their tolerance for alcohol. On the other hand, the main reason for not wanting to know the genetic results that the respondents had no intention of stopping smoking and heavy drinking, or that they would be unable to stop even if they knew the results of the genetic diagnosis. Multiple regression analysis showed that the number of respondents who "wanted to know the results of the genetic diagnosis" was significantly higher among those respondents who are current smokers (male: OR = 1.66 95%CI 1.29-2.14, female: OR = 2.33 95%CI 1.37-3.98), those who understood the relationship between smoking and lung cancer (male: OR = 1.81 95%CI 1.25-2.63, female: OR = 2.77 95%CI 1.42-5.40) and those who with a high CAGE test score (male: OR = 1.96 95%CI 1.42-2.68, female: OR = 2.52 95%CI 1.07-5.94). The results of this survey suggest that genetic diagnosis of GSTM1 and ALDH2 polymorphism may be useful in supporting those who want to stop smoking and decrease their alcohol intake.