December 2024

Discoveries, trends, and discussions in diagnostics

Welcome to the December issue of Diagnostics Dialogue, where you can get up to speed on the most important discoveries, trends, and discussions in medical diagnostics. Continue reading to learn more about

World AIDS Day was December 1

World AIDS Day was December 1

World AIDS Day was December 1

World AIDS Day was December 1

Let’s continue to raise awareness


Nearly 40 million people worldwide were living with HIV at the end of 20231—a sobering statistic that drives the World AIDS Day movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

While HIV infections in the US have been steadily decreasing2 thanks to HIV testing and increases in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescriptions, we are committed to providing resources to continue to help end the stigma around HIV.

We offer a comprehensive set of HIV screening and diagnostic tools so you can help all your patients make confident, informed decisions wherever they are in the treatment continuum, from routine screening to treatment monitoring. We also offer HIV PrEP testing to help your patients reduce the risk of getting HIV.

Learn more about our full array of testing solutions

Let's connect

Fill out the form below to have a Quest representative contact you.

Please remember that email, including this web form, is not a secure method of communication. Do not submit personal information, including usernames and passwords, social security numbers, or personal health information through this form.

*Required

Better outcomes

Better outcomes

Assess and monitor metabolic risk to optimize weight management

With obesity currently affecting more than 2 in 5 US adults,3 the positive impact of weight management therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) is significant. But without lifestyle changes, including exercise to maintain muscle mass, the long-term benefit on cardiometabolic health is not sustained.4,5

Lab testing is an essential part of any weight management strategy to set a baseline for treatment efficacy and monitor short- and long-term cardiometabolic health risks. 

As part of a comprehensive cardiometabolic approach to weight management, we offer a broad test portfolio that includes testing for blood glucose, cardiovascular disease, endocrine and gastrointestinal disorders, kidney and liver health, and overall nutritional status.
2 in 5 of US adults are currently affected by obesity

Help identify mild cognitive impairment in your patients

Integrating blood-based biomarker testing with existing cognitive tools can help you with a comprehensive risk assessment approach.
Blood-based testing can provide a more informed view of Alzheimer’s disease risk

Measurable biological changes in the brain can begin decades before symptoms appear6

May reduce wait times from 70 months to 13 months to rule out Alzheimer’s7

May help avoid unnecessary PET or CSF testing by 40%8
Our AD-Detect™ blood-based portfolio can help you detect and monitor levels of key biomarkers—beta-amyloid (Aβ), which are lower in patients with Alzheimer’s,9 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau), which are higher in patients with Alzheimer’s.9

Visit QuestADRisk.com to learn why many clinicians think blood-based biomarker testing will become part of the standard of care.

Better experiences

Better experiences

Help protect patients with diabetes by testing for TB

In 2022, diabetes was the most commonly reported medical risk factor among people with active TB disease.10 Someone with untreated, inactive TB and diabetes is more likely to develop active TB disease than someone without diabetes,10 so testing is critical.
25% of people with TB disease also have diabetes

Quest Diagnostics is the only national commercial reference lab to offer a choice of TB blood tests*

The benefits of blood-based IGRA testing include
  • Highly accurate, objective results—faster than the century-old Mantoux tuberculin skin tests (TST), which require multiple patient visits and carry a false-positive rate of up to 40%11
  • Improved accuracy and a low rate of false positives12
  • Requires just 1 tube, 1 draw, and 1 visit
Learn more about T-SPOT®.TB and QuantiFERON® tests from Quest.

*Quest internal data, accessed 2024

Consider respiratory combo testing during the busy travel season

Last year, 115M people traveled over the holidays,13 and this holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest travel periods on record.14

Given last year's CDC data showing significant increases in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and influenza A or B (flu) infections between December and January,15 the heavy travel season may mean an uptick in those respiratory illnesses as well as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Our respiratory molecular combination testing is convenient and efficient, using a single specimen to test for common respiratory pathogens. Just 1 swab is needed to distinguish between COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, and other respiratory pathogens, helping you
  • accelerate diagnosis by eliminating the need for multiple tests or patient visits
  • determine the appropriate care pathway for your patients
  • guide early treatment management decisions16
Our comprehensive test portfolio can help you and your patients know more, sooner, to make informed travel decisions.

Make testing convenient to empower patient engagement

Enhanced convenience and access to testing are essential for patients to stay engaged and take control of their care. Quest can help with ~2,000 patient service centers nationwide and solutions that empower patients to actively manage their health.

In-network for 90% of insured lives and preferred lab network status with major health plans

Low or no out-of-pocket testing costs for many patients

Flexible payment plans, real-time cost estimates, and simplified billing

MyQuest® patient portal for online lab appointment scheduling and direct access to results

Health coaching, including Pack Health, 4myheart®, and online health education
With our health plan lookup tool we make it easier for patients to know what’s covered even before they get tested.

Removing traditional barriers to testing 

Removing traditional barriers to testing 

Removing traditional barriers to testing 

Understand autoimmune screening results for faster diagnosis and care

Autoimmune symptoms may be complex, but getting answers doesn’t have to be. Our comprehensive autoimmune screening interpretation guide helps you more clearly understand results, empowering you to make informed decisions about your patient’s diagnosis and care and provide a more qualified referral to rheumatology with a clear picture of your patient's condition. Plus, nearly 80% of patients do not receive a bill for ANAlyzeR.17

Choose the right endocrine testing to make informed decisions

Endocrine disorders span a vast range of conditions, affecting millions of Americans and profoundly decreasing quality of life.18

20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease19

As many as 5 million womenin the US are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)20

~35% of men over aged 45 have hypogonadism21

Having the right test for the right patient can help you make more informed decisions faster and with greater confidence.

With a legacy of expertise in endocrine lab diagnostics, Quest Diagnostics offers an extensive menu of guideline-based testing across the endocrine disorder spectrum.
Our straightforward algorithms and test categorization make it easier for you to identify the tests you need for any patient.

Help patients understand their genetic testing options

Many patients today are considering genetic testing to gain a clearer picture of their health risks and to make more informed decisions about their care.

Whether it's identifying predispositions to certain conditions, tailoring prevention plans, or understanding potential hereditary risks, genetic testing can help you empower patients with valuable insights.

Our tools and resources are designed to streamline the process for you and your patients.

A family history tool that captures essential background information

Access to genomic science specialists to consult on test selection and results interpretation
Quest offers a comprehensive range of genetic testing services across key areas, including cardiometabolic health, hereditary cancer, pediatrics, pregnancy, and fertility.

Achieving the Quadruple Aim in your practice

Our purpose is to support you and your patients with leading services, patient experiences, and innovative testing that can help you provide clarity to the constant changes and challenges we’re seeing in healthcare today.

About Diagnostics Dialogue

In our conversations with providers across the country, we hear that you are facing many different constraints that make delivering care challenging. We’re here to help you navigate the uncertainty and deliver better health. With a broad test menu spanning 3,500+ tests and consultations from our medical staff of over 700 MDs and PhDs, we empower healthcare providers to create healthier communities, one patient at a time.
References
  1. WHO. HIV data and statistics. 2024. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.who.int/teams/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes/hiv/strategic-information/hiv-data-and-statistics
  2. HIV.gov. US statistics. Updated August 15, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics
  3. CDC. Adult obesity facts. May 14, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult-obesity-facts/index.html
  4. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi:10.1111/dom.14725
  5. Jensen SBK, Blond MB, Sandsdal RM, et al. Healthy weight loss maintenance with exercise, GLP-1 receptor agonist, or both combined followed by one year without treatment: a post-treatment analysis of a randomised placebo-controlled trial. eClinicalMedicine. 2024;19:69:102475. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102475
  6. Vermunt L, Sikkes SAM, van den Hout A, et al. Duration of preclinical, prodromal, and dementia stages of Alzheimer’s disease in relation to age, sex, and APOE genotype. Alzheimers Dement. 2019;15(7):888-898. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2019.04.001
  7. Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s disease blood tests could improve diagnosis in primary care, speed recruiting for research and reduce wait times. July 28, 2024. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://aaic.alz.org/releases-2024/blood-tests-alzheimers-biomarkers.asp
  8. Weber D, Taylor S, Lagier R, et al. Clinical utility of plasma Aβ42/40 ratio by LC-MS/MS in Alzheimer’s disease assessment. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1364658. doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1364658
  9. Pais MV, Forlenza OV, Diniz BS. Plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A review of available assays, recent developments, and implications for clinical practice. J Alzheimers Dis Rep. 2023;7(1):355-380. doi:10.3233/ADR-230020
  10. CDC. TB risk and people with diabetes. April 22, 2024. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/risk-factors/diabetes.html
  11. Shah I, Kathwate J, Shetty, NS. Comparison of tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-vaccinated children. Lung India. 2020; 37(1):24-29. doi:10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_304_19
  12. Hartman-Adams H, Clark K, Juckett G. Update on latent tuberculosis infection Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(11):889-896. Published correction appears in Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(7):434. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0601/p889.html
  13. AAA. 115 million Americans expected to travel over Christmas, New Year’s. December 11, 2023. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/12/115-million-americans-expected-to-travel-over-christmas-new-years
  14. TSA. TSA readies for busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, provides passengers with time-saving travel tips. November 19, 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2024/11/19/tsa-readies-busiest-thanksgiving-travel-period-record-provides
  15. CDC. Respiratory virus activity levels. November 22, 2024. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/activity-levels.html
  16. Hanson KE, Azar MM, Banerjee R, et al. Molecular testing for acute respiratory tract infections: clinical and diagnostic recommendations from the IDSA’s diagnostics committee. Clin Infect Dis. 2020;71(10):2744-2751. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa508
  17. Data on file. Quest Diagnostics. September 2023.
  18. NIH. Endocrine diseases & metabolic diseases. Updated May 2024. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/endocrine-metabolic-diseases 
  19. American Thyroid Association. Prevalence and impact of thyroid disease. Accessed May 29, 2023. https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room/
  20. CDC. Diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). May 15, 2024. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html
  21. Endocrine Society. Hypogonadism in men. January 24, 2022. Accessed February 8, 2024. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hypogonadism
Image content features models and is intended for illustrative purposes only.
Terms of Use | Privacy Notices | Contact Us | QuestDiagnostics.com | Privacy Shield  | Your Privacy Choices

Quest®, Quest Diagnostics®, any associated logos,and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks—® and ™—are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights reserved.