On July 9 2021, results from the STHLM3MRI study were presented in The New England Journal of Medicine, indicating that over-diagnosis could be reduced by substituting traditional prostate biopsies with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and targeted biopsies. The new results, now published in The Lancet Oncology, show that the addition of the Stockholm3 test, which was developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, can be an important complement. It is a blood test that uses an algorithm to analyze a combination of protein markers, genetic markers and clinical data.
Karolinska Institutet. “New blood test improves prostate cancer screening.” ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210813100313.htm (accessed August 14, 2021).
Understanding lab tests
FDA Authorizes 1st OTC Covid-19 Test
The test is performed using a mid-turbinate nasal swab designed for comfortable self-sampling. The sample is inserted into a single-use cartridge that returns results in 15 minutes. The at-home test analyzer connects to the user’s smartphone through Bluetooth and pairs with a downloadable app that provides step-by-step instructions and displays results.
Users can share real-time results from the test, selling for approximately $30, with healthcare professionals, employers, and schools for efficient COVID-19 tracking. Ellume plans to scale-up manufacturing to deliver millions of home tests per month in 2021.
NIH-funded COVID-19 home test is first to receive over-the-counter authorization from FDA – https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funded-covid-19-home-test-first-receive-over-counter-authorization-fda
I wonder if this test works without a smartphone? I wonder if the app can share real- time results with local government agencies that are tracking test numbers? I wonder if low income people can take advantage of this test due to cost considerations? I wonder if applicants for life or health insurance will use this test, get results then apply for insurance thus creating another channel for anti-selection?
I wonder a lot nowadays but I truly don’t wonder about my last point. Of course people will self-test before applying for insurance. My local CVS has shelves full of at home tests that people are using now for lots of other things like nicotine, non-prescription drugs, etc.
Retirement can’t come soon enough for this old warrior.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Spectrum of Disorders — Podcast
Audio. Annals On Call – Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Spectrum of Disorders: Dr. Centor discusses nonalcoholic fatty Liver disease with Dr. Meagan Gray, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Alabama.
A1c test MISSES Many Cases of Diabetes
Must read if you’re an underwriter. Here.
The new study included 9,000 adults without a diabetes diagnosis. The participants got both an A1c test and an oral tolerance glucose test, and the researchers compared the results. The researchers found the A1c test didn’t catch 73 percent of diabetes cases that were detected by the oral glucose test. “The A1c test said these people had normal glucose levels when they didn’t,” Chang Villacreses said.
HgA1C and the Prediction of DM2
RESULTS – During long-term follow-up of children and adolescents who did not initially have diabetes, the incidence rate of subsequent diabetes was fourfold (in boys) as high and more than sevenfold (in girls) as high in those with HbA1c ≥5.7% as in those with HbA1c ≤5.3%—greater rate ratios than experienced by adults in the same HbA1c categories. Analyses of ROCs revealed no significant differences between HbA1c, FPG, and 2hPG in sensitivity and specificity for identifying children and adolescents who later developed diabetes. CONCLUSIONS – HbA1c is a useful predictor of diabetes risk in children and can be used to identify prediabetes in children with other type 2 diabetes risk factors with the same predictive value as FPG and 2hPG.
Source: Diabetes Care
How to interpret urine drug tests for marijuana – The Poison Review
HbA1c Racial Differences Complicate Diagnosis
Blacks generally have higher HbA1c levels than whites. Rates among Hispanics and Asians also tend to be higher than in whites, although the discrepancy has not been as well-studied in these groups, says University of Cincinnati professor of medicine Robert M. Cohen, MD.
Opioid Abuse & Mortality Trends – Physician’s Weekly for Medical News, Journals & Articles
Physician’s Weekly provides news & information online and at the point-of-care to hospitals, oncology centers & physician group practices, including specialty editions for Surgery, Emergency Departments, Oncology & Primary Care.
Source: CME: Opioid Abuse & Mortality Trends | Physician’s Weekly for Medical News, Journals & Articles
Will someone please explain to me why as an industry we continue to test life insurance applicants for cocaine but choose to ignore other drugs of abuse?
The Pros and Cons of Diagnosing Diabetes With A1C
FDA Clears CAD Screening Test – Medpage Today
FDA Clears CAD Screening Test | Medpage Today.
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)
lifeunderwriter.net 
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