Roche Diagnostics India’s heart failure test for diabetics now available on its point-of-care device management

10 April, 2024, Mumbai: Roche Diagnostics India announces the launch of its point-of-care

NT-proBNP test for screening diabetes patients who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases

(CVD) such as heart failure (HF). This breakthrough innovation is designed to bring testing

closer to clinics and revolutionise patient care. The claim extension of the NT-proBNP

biomarker, available exclusively on the cobas® h 232 system, aims to provide faster, more

efficient diagnosis and management of HF in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Although diabetes is a global health concern, its burden is more evident in developing

countries like India. India is considered the diabetes capital of the world, with over 101

million people living with disease, as per recently published the Indian Council of Medical

Research–India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB)national cross-sectional study. 1

Diabetes is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients living with diabetes

are at a higher risk of developing CVD: up to 46% of diabetic patients will develop CVD in

their lifetime which is responsible for about 50% of mortality in T2D patients. 2 Moreover,

statistics indicate a staggering 30% of diabetic patients develop HF during their lifetime.

Individuals with T2D and HF face up to an 8x increased risk of death compared to those

without HF. Despite the number, approximately 80% of HF cases are only diagnosed

following acute hospitalisaton, despite patients experiencing symptoms up to five years

prior. 3

The challenge lies in the non-specific symptoms of HF, which often remain undetected until

advanced stages. Recognising this critical gap, Roche Diagnostics India's NT-proBNP test on

the cobas® h 232 system facilitates early detection (screening) and intervention, enabling

clinicians to identify high-risk T2D patients and initiate timely treatment discussions.

Dr. Sanjay Kalra, Chief Endocrinologist, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, India, past president of the

Endocrine Society of India (ESI), and Executive Committee member & Chair, Education

Working Group at the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE), said the incorporation of

NT-proBNP test extension onto convenient point-of-care platforms signifies a notable stride

in diabetes care. This innovative biomarker, when integrated into primary care settings,

1. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00119-5/fulltext

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37301218/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34740359/

enables us to proactively assess heart failure risks in patients with T2D, thereby fostering

improved outcomes and bolstering patient well-being.

Echoing this sentiment, Rishubh Gupta, Managing Director of Roche Diagnostics India &

Neighbouring markets emphasised the company's commitment to driving patient-centric

solutions. "At Roche, we are dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovation. The

extended claim on our NT-proBNP test now available on our point-of-care system

underscores our mission to empower clinicians with cutting-edge tools for early diagnosis

and personalised patient care," said Gupta.

The NT-proBNP test for diabetes at point-of-care marks a significant milestone in the journey

towards proactive and personalised healthcare for T2D patients. Roche remains steadfast in

its dedication to empowering healthcare professionals and improving patient outcomes

through innovative solutions.