With its cobas b 101 system, a point-of-care device that can quickly and easily test for HbA1c and lipid panel, Roche has ensured the lab can be brought to the patient in a convenient and effective manner when it comes to the management of diabetes and dyslipidemia, the two most dangerous risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.
Metabolic syndrome, which affects 25% of the world’s adult population, defines a cluster of the most dangerous risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. These risk factors include elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides (≥150mg/dl), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (<40mg/dl in males and <50mg/dl in females), elevated blood pressure (systolic ≥130 and/or diastolic ≥85mmHg) and elevated fasting glucose (≥100mg/dl). Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if three or more of these five risk factors are present.
In people with metabolic syndrome, the risk of heart attack or stroke is three times higher, while mortality for these conditions is twice as high than in unaffected individuals. Furthermore, people with metabolic syndrome have a fivefold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is also a significant predictor of incident diabetes in many different populations, and confers increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), CVD and all-cause mortality, while people with diabetes and/or pre-existing CVD are at even higher risk of CHD, CVD and all-cause mortality. Dyslipidemia, diabetes and the risk of CVD are highly interconnected.
Experts have decided that it is better to act now rather than wait further for medical unanimity. According to the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association, the importance of identifying and treating a core set of risk factors – pre-diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity – cannot be overstated.
Usable, practicable, reliable
Roche’s cobas b 101 is a point-of-care system including an HbA1c test and lipid panel on the same device, addressing a critical diagnostic need when it is most convenient to do so: in the general practitioner (GP) or special practitioner’s (SP) surgery, at a pharmacy or at a patient’s bedside. It aids the management of two major chronic diseases – diabetes and dyslipidemia, the two most dangerous risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease – in a single easy-to-use calibration-and-service-free device.
The cobas b 101 gives results for both tests within one 15-minute workflow, from one finger-prick, with full compliance to the national glycohaemoglobin standardisation programme (NGSP) and national cholesterol education programme (NCEP) guideline requirements. Clinical studies in Australia and Europe have proved that the results generated by the cobas b 101 system are just as valid as those from a full diagnostics lab.
As the European study reported, all trial sites confirmed the usability and practicability of the system, and rated it as convenient for use in a point-of-care environment.
Timed to perfection
Rapid, reliable results in GP/SP offices can support physicians in making critical decisions during a patient visit. In addition, with glucose monitoring, HbA1c testing on cobas b 101 supports optimised diabetes management in a pharmacy. The pharmacist can provide timely testing results to patients and recommend they visit a GP/SP if results need to be further interpreted. This involves patients, pharmacists and physicians working as a team.
"The cobas b 101 system represents a step change in the management of metabolic syndrome. This improves patients’ quality of life and life expectancy," says Roland Diggelmann, chief operating officer of Roche.
"Roche is committed to supporting healthcare professionals with new, more efficient diagnostic tools and also to helping reduce healthcare spending by bringing the laboratory to the patient."
