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Baxter announces milestone 100,000 patients screened for Alpha-1
PharmPro
Since 2004, Baxter Healthcare Corporation and the Alpha1 Center, a medical diagnostic laboratory in Salt Lake City specializing in the detection of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), have coordinated a nationwide effort to help physicians rule out the genetic disorder. In August 2011, this program reached an unmatched milestone by testing its 100,000th patient for AATD.
People with AATD have reduced levels of a naturally occurring blood protein that protects the lungs. If untreated, AATD can result in early onset emphysema, liver damage and premature death. It is one of the most common potentially lethal hereditary disorders. The American Lung Association estimates the prevalence of AATD in the U.S. at about 100,000, three times greater than cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s disease, and about 50 percent higher than sickle cell anemia.
A recent estimate based on screening studies in the general population suggested that only 10% of people who have AATD are diagnosed. Baxter and the Alpha1 Center’s AlphaTest kit program helps encourage screening for this hereditary disease.
