Impact of population-specific pharmacogenomic variants on drug dosing in ICU patients.

Population-specific PGx variants affecting metabolism of 30 common ICU drugs

Whole-genome sequencing was performed in 210 Qatari ICU patients to assess the prevalence of pharmacogenomic variants affecting 30 commonly prescribed ICU drugs. Using both CPIC-based analysis via PharmCAT and broader exploration of predicted deleterious variants in pharmacogenes lacking established guidelines, the study reveals a PGx allele distribution in the Qatari population distinct from European and East Asian reference panels. Results identify several common ICU medications for which dose adjustment would be warranted in a significant proportion of patients.

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ICU patients represent a high-risk population for preventable PGx-related adverse events, and this study is among the first to combine clinical WGS with CPIC data in this critical care context. The population-specific dimension (Qatar, non-European populations) is particularly valuable given that common variants in this region are absent from Euro-centric databases. A strong argument for preemptive PGx programs in multicultural clinical settings.

Clinical impact: 2/3 · Evidence strength: 2/3 · Novelty: 1/2 · Sample size: 1/1 · Journal quality: 1/1 → Total: 7/10