Non-invasive Cirrhosis Test
ScienceBlog has a post up about a new, non-invasive test for cirrhosis. It’s basically a blood test, something that measures the ratio/quantities of blood sugars as fibrosis changes to cirrhosis. Currently, cirrhosis is diagnosed through biopsy, which, in my experience, involves an attending repeatedly showing a med student how to stick a hollow-point needle between the ribs while you try to hold yourself absolutely motionless. Note that cooperation of the patient in remaining motionless precludes anesthesia — though one can have Versed — and you have to lie on your side for a few hours afterwards in case the needle nicked something it shouldn’t have.
So, a blood test would be a wonderful thing. Progression can be tracked; big, hollow-point needles jabbing into internal organs would not be involved; costs are greatly reduced. We’ll have to keep an eye on this. The paper looks European, so there’s presumably no FDA approval for the test as of yet. Presumably, approval should happen relatively quickly, as this is a test and not a drug.
In the meantime, maybe I should start drinking coffee again.