Roche blood test shows effectiveness in predicting preeclampsia

Roche has announced the publication of new clinical study data showing the effectiveness of its Elecsys sFlt-1/PlGF immunoassay ratio test.

Appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, results from the PROGNOSIS study demonstrated the prognostic value of the test in predicting which pregnant women are at highest risk of developing preeclampsia.

This was the first multi-centre large-sample study to demonstrate the prognostic value of Roche's test to predict the absence of preeclampsia for one week and the development of preeclampsia within the subsequent four weeks in women suspected of having the condition.

It is estimated that routine use of the Roche preeclampsia test could cut the number of women hospitalised prior to preeclampsia diagnosis by half, leading to a cost saving of approximately 400 pounds per patient.

Roland Diggelmann, chief operating officer at Roche Diagnostics, said: "We're delighted to see the results published in such a world-renowned journal as the New England Journal of Medicine, and confident the findings will have a positive impact on the prediction and clinical management of this serious medical condition."