September 2024

Discoveries, trends, and discussions in diagnostics

Welcome to the September 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

National Sexual Health Awareness Month

National Sexual Health Awareness Month

National Sexual Health Awareness Month

National Sexual Health Awareness Month

Sexual health is fundamental to overallhealth and well-being


Each September, National Sexual Health Awareness Month provides an ideal opportunity to assess patient sexual health and help them understand their risk. Discussing sexual health can be uncomfortable for patients, so some conditions may remain undiagnosed, leading to significant health issues.

This is exacerbated by a major increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs)1—more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia were reported in the US in 2022.2 The surge in syphilis cases is particularly alarming, increasing 80% between 2018-2022.2

Read about responsible drug monitoring Read about responsible drug monitoring

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Better outcomes

Better outcomes

Demystifying PCOS diagnoses with a step-by-step method and diagnostic algorithm

September is also PCOS Awareness Month. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder in reproductive-aged women.3 It is also a leading cause of female infertility, affecting as many as 5 million women in the US.4

PCOS is a complex condition that can only be diagnosed by eliminating other disorders with similar symptoms. 

More than 1 in 3 women who have PCOS may spend more than 2 years and see more than 3 healthcare professionals before being diagnosed.5

Up to 70% of women affected by PCOS remain undiagnosed worldwide.6
We can help simplify the diagnostic journey. Our broad testing portfolio can help you accurately diagnose and ascertain the cause of PCOS for appropriate treatment and more effective disease management.

Primary care as the first line of defense against cognitive decline including Alzheimer's disease

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) matters, and a study revealed that 78% of adults want to assess risk of AD as part of preventive care.7
Integrating blood-based biomarker testing with existing cognitive tools can help you with a comprehensive risk assessment approach.
Blood-based biomarker testing from Quest can help you detect and monitor levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ), one of the earliest biomarkers associated with the risk of AD,9 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) biomarkers, which increase over time within plasma as AD progresses.
We offer one of the industry’s most comprehensive test portfolios for AD and dementia to help assess potential risk.

One-third of retirees fear AD more than cancer, heart attack, stroke, or contagious diseases8

Break the stigma and help prevent the spread of hepatitis, HIV, and tuberculosis 

Viral hepatitis affects millions of people,10 and with coinfection of infectious diseases like hepatitis, HIV, or tuberculosis (TB) prevalent among certain populations, screening can help prevent chronic infections from becoming major health issues. Screening can provide valuable insights to help prevent further progression of disease.
There are recommended screening guidelines from leading health organizations that factor in activities and comorbidities that may put patients at higher risk for coinfection.

Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV)

HIV

TB
  • For HBV, the CDC recommends screening using a triple panel test11 like the one offered by Quest
  • Current HCV testing guidance recommends a 2-step testing sequence; Quest offers 2-step screening and confirmation as well as reflex options to perform all testing from 1 sample
  • One-time testing is recommended for all individuals ages 13–6512
  • People engaging in risky behaviors should get tested at least once every year13
  • The USPSTF recommends screening for LTBI in populations at increased risk14
  • The FDA has approved 2 interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood tests
We offer guideline-driven screening solutions for hepatitis, HIV, and TB to help you protect your patients.

Better experiences

Better experiences

Respiratory molecular combination testing that helps you know more, sooner

While surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has been scaled back since the US public health emergency ended more than a year ago, data from the CDC show that infections are probably growing in at least 38 states15 as new variants emerge.
This upward trend, coinciding with the approaching fall and winter influenza and RSV season, means that patients may soon present with similar symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
For at-risk groups or patients with a more acute illness, an expedited diagnosis is crucial so that treatment can be initiated while it’s most effective.16-18 That’s why it’s important to test for each of these illnesses at the same time.
Our comprehensive portfolio of combination testing options supports a faster diagnosis to help you develop an appropriate care plan.

Removing traditional barriers to testing 

Removing traditional barriers to testing 

Removing traditional barriers to testing 

TB blood testing: An easier way to test for tuberculosis

TB is still a leading infectious disease despite being both preventable and curable.19 Since it spreads from person to person easily, TB testing and screening are essential for public health.
Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are highly accurate and can help reduce overall costs since they require only a single blood draw in a single visit versus a Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) that requires 2 or more patient visits.
According to the CDC, TB blood tests (IGRAs) are preferred for the majority of at-risk US populations.20
Quest offers T-SPOT®.TB and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus, the 2 blood tests that are approved by the FDA.

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 in the face of 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.
Read past issues of Diagnostics Dialogue and learn what we’re doing every day to improve outcomes and accessibility to care for patients.
References
  1. WHO. New report flags major increase in sexually transmitted infections, amidst challenges in HIV and hepatitis. May 21, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.who.int/news/item/21-05-2024-new-report-flags-major-increase-in-sexually-transmitted-infections---amidst-challenges-in-hiv-and-hepatitis
  2. CDC. CDC’s 2022 STI Surveillance Report underscores that STIs must be a public health priority. Updated January 30, 2024. Accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/default.htm
  3. Azziz R. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132(2):321-336. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002698
  4. CDC. Diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). May 15, 2024. Accessed March 29, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html
  5. Escobar-Morreale HF. Polycystic ovary syndrome: definition, etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2018;14(5):270-284.doi:10.1038/nrendo.2018.24
  6. WHO. Polycystic ovary syndrome. June 28, 2023. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
  7. Quest Diagnostics. The Coming Alzheimer’s Disease Healthcare Revolution: US Physician and Adult Perspectives on the Future of Diagnostics and Treatment. May 2022. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.questdiagnostics.com/content/dam/corporate/brochure-pdfs/The-Coming-Alzheimer%27s-Disease-Healthcare-Revolution-Survey-Report.PDF
  8. Edward Jones. The four pillars of the new retirement. 2021. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.edwardjones.com/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-01/Edward-Jones-4-Pillars-USreport.pdf
  9. Nakamura A, Kaneko N, Villemagne V, et al. High performance plasma amyloid-B biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. Nature. 2018;554(7691):249-254. doi:10.1038/nature25456
  10. CDC. Global viral hepatitis: millions of people are affected. Updated July 19, 2021. Accessed November 17, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/global/index.html
  11. CDC. Clinical testing and diagnosis for hepatitis B. March 6, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html
  12. CDC. Clinical testing guidance for HIV. April 24, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hivnexus/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html
  13. HIV.gov. Who should get tested? Updated March 6, 2023. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-testing/learn-about-hiv-testing/who-should-get-tested
  14. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for latent tuberculosis infection in adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2023;329(17):1487-1494. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4899
  15. CDC. Current epidemic growth status (based on Rt) for states and territories. Updated July 19, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html
  16. CDC. Underlying conditions and the higher risk for severe COVID-19. June 14, 2024. Accessed July 29, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/underlying-conditions.html
  17. CDC. Flu treatment. Updated March 22, 2024. Accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/
  18. CDC. RSV. Updated December 18, 2020. Accessed October 20, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
  19. Williams PM, Pratt RH, Walker WL, et al. Tuberculosis—United States, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:265–270. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7312a4
  20. Caruso E, Mangan JM, Maiuri A, et al. Tuberculosis testing and latent tuberculosis infection treatment practices among health care providers – United States, 2020-2022. MMWR. 2023;72(44);1183-1189. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7244a2.htm
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