An article in Managed Healthcare Executive highlights ways that genetic testing could improve the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

In addition to genetic testing, HSS chief value medical officer Catherine H. MacLean, MD, PhD, explained how biomarkers are also being used to detect and monitor certain rheumatology conditions.

Dr. MacLean noted that biomarkers help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and can also help track and treat disease activity, which could prevent joint damage.

"These biomarkers may be used alone or in combination with several other parameters to measure disease activity, which is used to direct therapy. Higher levels may lead to increasing drug dosages, adding additional drugs, or changing drugs in a treatment regimen. Conversely, low disease activity may result in lowering doses or stopping drugs," said Dr. MacLean.

Read the full article at managedhealthcareexecutive.com. This also appeared in the March 2018 print issue.