Improving Patient Care through Molecular Diagnostics - Essay Example

?“Discuss how the constant improvement of diagnostic techniques drives improvements in our understanding and treatment of disease processes” Medical technology has developed various techniques including laboratory tests and imaging tests for the easy diagnosis of diseases. This paper will discuss how constant improvement of various diagnostic techniques drives improvements in our understanding and treatment of disease processes. It will give specific focus to diseases like cancer, Aids, and diabetes. The major traditional cancer diagnostic techniques included ‘assessment of histologic appearance, identification of specific tumor subtypes, tumor grading, assessment of lymph node status, and presence of metastasis’ (Perez et al 2004). Although these techniques were helpful for initial evaluation, they could not effectively anticipate responses to treatment or risk of complications to specific treatment methods. However, there are many recent developments in the area of cancer diagnosis. The development of molecular based technologies for cancer detection facilitated the identification of an inherited risk of breast cancer in people. In addition, this development assisted physicians to more accurately evaluate the prognosis of those who already living with the disease. By predicting an inherited risk of developing breast cancer, it is possible to treat the disease at the earlier stages and to avoid complex procedures like breast amputation. Likewise, an accurate evaluation of the prognosis would assist physicians to introduce suitable intervention mechanisms timely and prevent the diseases from getting deteriorated. Some recently developed diagnostic methods particularly focus on the identification of patients who are most likely to respond to certain type of treatment. This is very beneficial for reducing future complications associated with cancer treatment. Currently, analysis of gene expression data and computer aided imaging are the good techniques to predict the risk of cancer in patients and the response to particular treatments (Alexe et al 2009). In addition, cancer screening method has been developed to diagnose the disease even before the symptoms appear. As a result of these improvements in cancer diagnostic techniques, today people are increasingly aware of the benefits of early detection of cancer. In addition, such improvements have led to the development of more effective cancer treatment procedures. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease affecting the human immune system and is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the initial period of infection, the affected person may experience influenza like illness. This initial stage is generally followed by a long period without symptoms. As the diseases progresses, the patient becomes more vulnerable to other infections like opportunistic infections and tumors. Unsafe sexual intercourse and unsecure blood transfusions are the major causes of the HIV transmission. As per 2010 data, nearly 34 million people have contracted AIDS worldwide. Currently, statistical data indicate that the incidence of AIDS has decreased relative to the past decades. This decline in the prevalence rate can be attributed to improvements in HIV diagnostic techniques. Traditionally, the first generation immunoassay tests have been employed to diagnose the presence of HIV. Under this technique, HIV lysate was used as the source of antigen to capture the presence of the antibody in the sample (Chappel et al 2009). The first generation tests had many shortcomings because they often gave false-positive results as a result of the contamination of the antigen and variations in the lysates. The failure of first generations tests led to the introduction of second generation anti-HIV-1 immunoassays. The mean infectious window period was reduced from 56 to 42 days as a result of this invention. The second generation tests were based on ‘recombinant Escherichia coli- derive antigen preparations’; and the tests still provided some false results due to the presence of contaminating bacterial proteins (ibid). In order to address the drawback of theses diagnostic tests, third generation assays were developed in the early 1990s. While the bound anti-HIV antibody was detected using an anti-igG conjugate under the second generation technique, the third generation tests particularly focused on a ‘sandwich’ method that employed conjugated antigen (Chappel et al 2009). Although they were not perfect, the development of second and subsequently third generation tests was helpful to gain ‘improved specificity of immunoassays’ (ibid). Recently, fourth generation assays have been developed to detect the presence of both antibody and p24 antigen; and they are capable of further reducing the window period (ibid). Experts opine that since fourth generation tests combine two different assay formats, results are most likely to be true. In addition, these diagnostic techniques have improved sensitivity as well. The constant improvements in AIDS diagnostic techniques have assisted people to easily detect the presence of HIV and thereby re-mould their lifestyle quickly. As compared to Cancer and Aids, diabetes has simpler diagnostic techniques. Taking blood sample to measure the glucose level is the major technique used for the detection of diabetes. Most of the diabetes tests need blood samples. Fasting blood glucose test, random blood glucose test, and oral glucose tolerance tests are other techniques used for the detection of diabetes. Fasting blood glucose test is the most common diagnostic technique used today. Under this technique, glucose level in the blood is checked after fasting for 12-14 hours. Even though the individual is allowed to drink water during this time, he is restricted to use any other beverage. Patients with diabetes need to delay their medication until the blood sample is taken for the test. The major advantage of this diagnostic technique is that it assists patients to check their glucose levels regularly. Therefore, patients can regulate their diet based on the test result. Today, simple diagnostic techniques have been developed for people to check blood glucose level at home. Blood sugar meter is an example of such a device. Hence, patients can conveniently and easily identify the intensity of their disease condition without the assistance of a physician. Evidently, this testing method would increase the awareness of the disease among patients and hence they would be willing to control their food practices. This technique would also benefit people to quickly regulate their lifestyle so as to control the blood sugar levels. With the introduction of this technique, people generally have knowledge about the normal blood glucose levels. And these developments drive improvements in their understanding and treatment of disease processes. References Alexe, G. et al. (2009) ‘Towards Improved Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis Using Analysis of Gene Expression Data and Computer Aided Imaging.’ Experimental Biology and Medicine, August, 234 (8), pp. 860-879 Chappel, et al. (2009) ‘Immunoassays for the diagnosis of HIV: meeting future needs by enhancing the quality of testing’. Future Microbiology, Oct 4(8), pp.963-82 Perez, E. A et al. (2004) ‘Improving patient care through molecular diagnostics’. Semin Oncol, Oct 31. 5 (10), pp.14-20. Read More