A Community-Based Approach for ALDH2 Genetic Testing in East Asian Americans
Northwestern University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether education plus genetic testing for ALDH2\*2 and ADH1B\*2 is feasible and acceptable and whether it influences modifiable health behaviors in East Asian American adults who experience alcohol flushing when they drink alcohol or have a family history of flushing. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is providing education plus ALDH2\*2/ADH1B\*2 genetic testing feasible and acceptable in a clinical care context? 2. Does receiving genetic testing results plus education lead to changes in modifiable health behaviors compared with education alone? Researchers will compare education plus genetic testing (intervention arm) to education only (control arm) to see if adding genetic testing improves feasibility/acceptability and supports health behavior change. Participants will: 1. Complete an education module about alcohol flushing and ALDH2/ADH1B 2. Be randomized to either: (A) Receive genetic testing for ALDH2\*2 and ADH1B\*2 with results disclosure, or (B) Receive education only. 3. Complete follow-up measures about feasibility, acceptability, and modifiable health behaviors
Description
Alcohol flushing syndrome affects an estimated \>500 million individuals worldwide and is strongly associated with functional variants in alcohol metabolism genes, particularly ALDH2 (e.g., ALDH2\*2) and ADH1B (e.g., ADH1B\*2). ALDH2\*2 reduces aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, contributing to acetaldehyde accumulation and is associated with increased risk for alcohol-related morbidity, including certain cancers and cardiometabolic outcomes. Despite the public health relevance, ALDH2/ADH1B implementation in clinical care remains limited, and evidence-based strategies are needed to support equit…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 or older 2. Self-identified as East Asian and/or East Asian American 3. Flush when they drink alcohol or have a family member who flushes when they drink 4. Able to read and speak English
Interventions
- BehavioralGenetic Test Results Return
Returning genetic test results for alcohol flushing genes (i.e., ALDH2, ADH1B)
- BehavioralAlcohol Flushing Education
Administering alcohol flushing educational module.
Location
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, Illinois