An asymptomatic man brings a direct-to-consumer genetic report stating that his polygenic risk score for depression is at the 95th percentile of the

Question

An asymptomatic man brings a direct-to-consumer genetic report stating that his polygenic risk score for depression is at the 95th percentile of the reference sample. He asks whether this means that he will inevitably develop depression. Which is the most accurate interpretation?

Accepted Answer

It indicates higher aggregate common-variant liability relative to the reference sample, but does not determine whether depression will occur

Answer

It provides a comprehensive risk estimate because environmental exposures are incorporated into the score

Answer

It indicates that he carries a single highly penetrant variant causing depression

Answer

It establishes a latent diagnosis of depression despite the absence of symptoms

Answer

It estimates that his lifetime absolute risk of depression is approximately 95%

Polygenic risk score — MRCPsych Paper A MCQ

An asymptomatic man brings a direct-to-consumer genetic report stating that his polygenic risk score for depression is at the 95th percentile of the reference sample. He asks whether this means that he will inevitably develop depression. Which is the most accurate interpretation?