CHICAGO, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A study presented today at the
American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH) Twenty-Second Annual Scientific
Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2007) in Chicago reports that the HemoCue Albumin
201 system, a point-of-care diagnostic test developed by HemoCue AB, can
detect microalbuminuria, a biological marker for kidney and cardiovascular
disease as accurately as conventional laboratory tests. HemoCue, a Quest
Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) company, is the developer and provider of the HemoCue
Albumin 201 system for measuring albumin in urine.
The investigators found that quantitative test results using the HemoCue
Albumin 201 system are as accurate as laboratory albumin-to-creatinine (ACR)
estimations and are at least as sensitive and specific for microalbuminuria
detection. These results, together with the simplicity of handling and
processing speed of the HemoCue Albumin 201 device, support the value of this
system for microalbuminuria detection at the point of care or in the
laboratory.
In the study, the HemoCue Albumin 201 system showed a sensitivity of 92%
and a specificity of 98% for the diagnosis of elevated urine albumin excretion
(UAE). Estimation of ACR, a method typically performed in a laboratory
setting, displayed sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 96% for the diagnosis
of elevated UAE. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value
of each test for the diagnosis of elevated UAE were 92% and 98% for the
HemoCue system and 85% and 92% for ACR. The study involved 165 subjects with
various risk factors for cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease.
"The availability of a point-of-care test method that is as accurate as a
lab test in quantitatively measuring albumin in urine is expected to have a
positive impact on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease in
at-risk populations," said the study's lead investigator, professor George L.
Bakris, M.D., director of the Hypertensive Diseases Center at the University
of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine. "We anticipate that the study's
results will be a catalyst for improving the diagnosis and treatment of kidney
disease in the early treatable stages, preventing further damage."
"This study highlights the growing potential of point-of-care technologies
to provide test results that are as reliable as laboratory tests," said Paul
Rust, vice president, Point-of-Care Testing, for Quest Diagnostics. "We have
demonstrated that HemoCue's Albumin 201 system is an effective screening tool
that can help physicians work more effectively with their patients with
diabetes and cardiovascular disease to manage health risks and provide
appropriate treatment."
Microalbuminuria is a condition characterized by increased level of
albumin excretion in urine. It is a well-recognized marker for endothelial
dysfunction, and is well established as the first indication of diabetic
nephropathy. Microalbuminuria is also associated with higher risk for
cardiovascular events and overall mortality, both in the general population
and in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Conventional laboratory methods of detecting microalbuminuria employ a
urine test to assess ACR. However, ACR estimations can vary widely due to
differences in muscle mass, age and gender between patients.
The HemoCue Albumim 201 system enables physicians to quantify albumin
levels in urine using an immunoturbidimetric reaction, which creates a cloudy
specimen due to a reaction between antigens and antibodies. Practitioners can
perform the test with minimal training on a urine sample collected at their
offices. The test can be easily interpreted, enabling the physician to provide
immediate feedback to the patient and make treatment decisions at the point of
care. The study was supported by a grant from HemoCue to the Rush University
Medical Center, where the study was conducted.
About The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH)
The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH) is the largest U.S.
organization devoted exclusively to hypertension and related cardiovascular
diseases. ASH is committed to alerting physicians, allied health
professionals and the public about new medical options, facts, research
findings and treatment choices designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease. For more information, visit www.ash-us.org.
About HemoCue AB
HemoCue, a Quest Diagnostics company, is a leading global company in a
field of diagnostics known as near patient, or point of care, testing. In
1982, HemoCue introduced the first system making accurate hemoglobin testing
possible in near patient settings. The system consists of a handheld
instrument and a disposable microcuvette (micro sample collection system) used
with each test. Since then, HemoCue has sold more than 250,000 systems
worldwide and sells more than 100 million cuvettes annually. The company has
wholly owned subsidiaries in England, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands,
Switzerland and the U.S., with franchises and third-party distributors
generating revenue in more than 100 countries. Quest Diagnostics acquired
HemoCue in 2007. HemoCue is based in Angelholm, Sweden. Additional information
is available at http://www.hemocue.com.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable
healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. The company
offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national
network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive
consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest
Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based
medical testing, and provides advanced information technology solutions to
improve patient care. For more information, visit www.questdiagnostics.com.
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in
government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers,
suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated 2006 Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
CONTACT: Laure Park, Investor Relations, +1-201-393-5030, or Nancy
Fitzsimmons, Media Relations, +1-201-393-5700
Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com
http://www.ash-us.org
http://www.hemocue.com