Episode 41: Biomarkers - DIagnosis, Disease Management, & even PREVENTION?!

This week, Tiffany and Patrice discuss the importance of biomarkers. Do biomarkers hold the key to understanding disease severity and predicting disease onset?

 

In this episode, we talk about biomarkers, or a measurable indicator present in the blood or tissues, and how their presence in our bodies can predict disease severity and guide treatment development. Furthermore, evidence that identifying biomarkers early - BEFORE DISEASE ONSET - could actually prevent a person from developing the disease.  Now, there is still the environmental plus genetic factors to consider, but the findings are promising. 

 

While the research focuses on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), showing how those who are sero-positive - in addition to having other genetic biomarkers - have a higher likelihood of developing severe disease and bone erosion,  Tiffany points out this is similar to Axial Spondyloarthritis, where many of those with non-radiographic disease do not have the biologic HLA-B27 gene that is present in most with radiographic evidence.  

 

The bottom line is that learning about biomarkers can help patients navigate their own healthcare journey, but also could possibly prevent their loved ones from developing these diseases in the future. 

 

Patient Voices and All Other Stakeholders - Join our AiArthritis Voices Program and Connect to Opportunities to Have Your Voice Counted!

 

If you are a patient, a parent of a juvenile patient, or any other stakeholder (doctor, nurse, researcher, industry representative, or other health services person) - are you ready to join the conversation? It's your turn to pull up a seat. Join our new AiArthritis Voices program, where people living with AiArthritis diseases and other stakeholders who we need 'at the table' to solve problems that impact education, advocacy, and research sign up to have a voice in our initiatives. By signing up, you’ll get notified of opportunities to be more involved with this show - including submitting post-episode comments and gaining insider information on future show topics. Patients and all other stakeholders are encouraged to join so we can match you with opportunities to pull up a seat and TOGETHER - as equals - solve the problems of today and tomorrow.

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AiArthritis Voices 360 is produced by the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis. Visit us on the web at www.aiarthritis.org/talkshow. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook (@ifAiArthritis) or email us (podcast@aiarthritis.org).

 

AiArthritis Voices 360 is the official talk show for the International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (AiArthritis). You can find us on the web at www.aiarthritis.org.