Diagnostics Horizon Scanning Volume 1 Issue 9

No fasting for cholesterol test

Title: Major Lipids, Apolipoproteins, and Risk of Vascular Disease

Source: JAMA

JAMA, 2009, 302 (18) p.1993-2000

Follow this link for full text

Date of publication: November, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: After analysing data from 300,000 people, Cambridge researchers found cholestrol test results were just as accurate if the patient had eaten before the test.

Length of publication: 9 page article

Screening for and early detection of COPD

Title: Screening for and early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Source: The Lancet

The Lancet, 2009, 374 (9691) p. 721-732. 

Follow this link for abstract 

Date of publication: November, 2009

Publication type: Journal article 

In a nutshell:  Reviews new developments and diagnostic techniques in the screening of COPD.

Length of publication:  12 page article

Some important notes: Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs). Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Haemoglobin A1c in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

Title: Is haemoglobin A1c a step forward for diagnosing diabetes?

Source: BMJ

British Medical Journal, 2009, 339: b4432

Follow this link for fulltext  

Date of publication: November, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: An international expert committee recently recommended replacing current diabetes testing measuring plasma glucose concentration fasting (thresehold 7 mmol/l) or after an oral glusoces tolerance test (11.1 mmol/l) with one for glycated haemoglobin A1c. This article describes the advantages and disadvantages of using haemoglobin A1c in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Length of publication: Webpage 

Some important notes: Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs). Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Liquid-based cytology versus conventional cytology for detecting cervical cancer precursors

Title: Comparison of liquid-based cytology with conventional cytology for detection of cervical cancer precursors.

Source: JAMA

Journal of the American Medical Association, 2009, 302 (16) p. 1757-1764

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: October, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This cluster randomized controlled trial compares the performance of liquid-based cytology with conventional cytology (Papanicolaou (Pap) test) in the detection of histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Length of publication:  8 page article

Some important notes:  Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs). Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

‘Get Checked’ campaign wins regional award

Source: Halton Strategic Partnership

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: June, 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A project which educates people about the signs and symptoms of three types of cancer (breast, bowel and lung), has won an Award at this year’s North West Health and Social Care Awards.  The ‘Get Checked’ campaign, run by the Health Improvement Team from NHS Halton and St Helens has seen referrals increase by between 18% and 90%.

Length of publication: Web page

 

Making Sense of Screening

Source: UK Screening Portal

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: November 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: An independent charitable trust has published a guide that explains what screening is.  The guide, from Sense About Science for professionals and the general public also addresses common misconceptions on screening.

Length of publication: Web page

Some important notes: The guide is available to download from Sense About Science website by clicking here

Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening Programme Standards Consultation

Source: UK Screening Portal

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: October, 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A consultation has begun on the draft revised programme and laboratory standards for the Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening Programme.  The consultation will close on 29th January 2010.

Length of publication: Web page

Some important notes: Click here for the consultation

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Community Diagnostics Horizon Scanning Volume 1 Issue 8