National Diabetes Month
National Diabetes Month Diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by insulin resistance either due to the pancreas’s inability to produce enough insulin or due to the body’s inability to use the insulin it produces effectively. Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for the regulation of blood glucose 1. Approximately 537 million adults, aged 20-79 years of age, are living with diabetes and is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Moreover, 240 million (1 in 2) adults are living with diabetes but it is undiagnosed and 541 million adults are at an increased risk
Men’s Health Testing
Men’s Health Testing This June, Biorex Diagnostics are focusing on Men’s Health Testing for Men’s Health Week (12th – 18th June 2023). Regular health screening for men is vital to aid in the early detection of several diseases, including: diabetes, heart disease and prostate cancer 1. Diabetes Men are at an increased risk of developing diabetes from lower levels of weight gain and fat build up compared to women, meaning that men have a lower BMI than women when developing diabetes. Unlike women, men can experience unique effects from diabetes including erectile dysfunction (ED), recurrent gentile thrush and reduced muscle mass. Uncontrolled diabetes
Make May Purple For Stroke
Make May Purple For Stroke Biorex Diagnostics are supporting Make May Purple for Stroke. Stroke is the result of a clot in a blood vessel leading to the brain, suddenly blocking or diminishing the blood supply to part of the brain. When the fresh blood supply containing oxygenated blood is deprived from any part of the body, cells become injured and may die. Whilst some cell injury is reversible, death to brain cells is permanent, and usually leaves a lasting disability 1. Types of Stroke There are three main types of stroke: Embolic is caused by a circulating piece of a clot when lodges
Blood Grouping
Blood Grouping One of the most frequently performed clinical procedures to aid in improving tissue oxygen delivery in hospitalised patients in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Cross-matching is a mandatory test to meet the clinical needs of RBC transfusion through the examination of donor-recipient compatibility with antibodies and antigens of blood groups (see figure 1). An individual’s combination of antigens on the surface of the RBC determines the blood group, but it is typically of the ABO and the RH blood group systems. There are 43 blood group systems containing 345 antigens, recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion 1. Figure
The Importance of Diagnostic Testing
The Importance of Diagnostic Testing Healthcare starts with and depends on diagnostics, whether it’s cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases or serious health threats, diagnostics are at the front and centre. Diagnostics enable physicians and clinicians to gather the precise information to aid in the early detection, prevention and monitoring of diseases. Moreover, diagnostics are vital in optimising care pathways and in the creation and implementation of treatment plans. Despite this, diagnostics are greatly undervalued with many healthcare systems around the world sorely lacking in awareness of the importance of and capacity to integrate diagnostics 1. The Role of Diagnostic Tests Diagnostic tests are used
Renal Testing
Renal Testing Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has continued to burden the global population as illustrated through its increasing contribution to mortality and morbidity rates and the associated financial costs. In Europe, it is estimated that CKD accounts for 1.3% of total healthcare costs. Between 9.1% and 13.4% (700 million and one billion) of the global population have CKD. These estimates combined with the increasing global health burden of CKD, highlights the need for a superior marker for CKD classification for early diagnosis and treatment interventions 1. CKD Classification The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends the creatinine-based estimate of glomerular
The Importance of HIV Testing
The Importance of HIV Testing In 2021, 1.5 million people became newly infected with HIV, bringing the grand total of people living with HIV to 38.4 million. Of this, 36.7 million are adults, aged 15 years and older, and 1.7 million are children, aged 0 to 14 years. 54% of the 38.4 million are women and girls. 70% of all HIV infections in 2021 affected the key populations: sex workers and their clients, gay men and other men who have intercourse with men, people who inject drugs, and transgender women 1. Did You Know? The risk of acquiring HIV is: 35 times higher
Love Your Liver
Love Your Liver This January, Biorex Diagnostics are supporting Love Your Liver Month. Did you know that “9 in 10 cases of liver disease could be prevented” 1? There are various types of hepatic disease which are caused by various factors, including: alcohol misuse, inherited conditions, infections and obesity. Over time, hepatic disease can result in scarring and serious complications. It is imperative that heaptic disease is diagnosed early for early treatment implementation to aid in healing the damage and preventing the liver from failing 2. Liver Disease Hepatic disease can be inherited or the liver can be damaged from other factors, including: alcohol
Influenza Co-Infection in COVID-19 Patients
Influenza Co-Infection in COVID-19 Patients Caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major public health burden which can be devastating 1. Influenza on the other hand remains as one of the world’s greatest health concerns, with an estimated 1 billion cases every year. Of these cases, 3 - 5 million are severe, resulting in approximately 290,000 - 650,000 deaths per year 2. Whilst influenza is commonly discussed with regards to past or future pandemics, seasonal influenza is responsible for the substantial burden of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and other respiratory
NEW PRODUCT: Anti-CCP
NEW PRODUCT: Anti-CCP - A Biomarker of Rheumatoid Arthritis Several diagnostic tests are utilised in the diagnosis of RA, including rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclin citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Whilst ESR and CRP measurements are imperfect, both do continue to play a role in the diagnosis and management of RA 1. Anti-CCP Anti-CCP assays are widely available clinically for the detection of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA) and offers an excellent diagnostic and prognostic value 1. Several studies support the clinical use of anti-CCP as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of RA and prognostic prediction of joint