Peer-reviewed article

323 Perceived Stress and Access to Care in Parents of Children Living a Diagnostic Odyssey in Puerto Rico

Albino E, Martinez K, Carlo S, Chapel-Crespo C, Ortiz A et al. · 27 Apr 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Diagnostic odyssey is the time it can take to a patient for receiving a diagnosis. Diagnostic process in rare diseases can be complex due to the heterogeneity of symptoms and lack of access to care. We aim to evaluate the association between diagnostic odyssey, perceived stress, and access to care, in parents of Puerto Rican patients with a rare disease. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We propose a cross-sectional study in parents of 100 children who received an uninformative whole exome sequencing (WES) report during a scheduled appointment with their geneticist. Discussion of WES results during clinical session, followed by a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and semi-structured interview to explore the experience of access to care during the diagnostic process will be arranged. Observation and interviews will be recorded. Data analysis and descriptive statistics will be calculated using STATA. Statistical associations (OR) will be estimated using generalized linear models at a 5% significance level. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We expect to find high perceived stress in parents of Puerto Rican pediatric individuals having rare diseases, especially among single mothers. We will be able to identify limited access to care in Puerto Rico, especially in the testing pre-authorization process and long waits for geneticist appointments. Demand for advanced diagnostics is above the number of medical geneticists available in Puerto Rico, which triggers delayed diagnosis, management, and counseling. Therefore, these could affect the health disparities in our population with rare diseases. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This descriptive study will evaluate perceived stress in parents of pediatric patients living a diagnostic odyssey in Puerto Rico. No study has described perceived stress and access to care in this Hispanic population with undiagnosed conditions. Findings will contribute to a deep understanding of diagnostic process and limited access to care.