TY - JOUR AU - Basant Joshi, AU - Sangeeta Singh, AU - Sankha Simlai, AU - Sumeru Samanta, PY - 2022/01/16 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Biomarkers in Clinical Medicine: Perspective from a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory JF - International Journal of Health and Clinical Research JA - Int. J. Heal. Clin. Res. VL - 5 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - UR - https://ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/4653 SP - 542-547 AB - <p>Biomarkers have been used in clinical medicine for decades. With the rise of genomics and other advances in molecular biology, biomarkers<br>studies have entered a whole new era and hold promise for early diagnosis and effective treatment of many diseases. A biomarker is a<br>characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacologic<br>responses to therapeutic intervention. There is increasing pressure to provide cost -effective healthcare based on "best practice." Consequently,<br>new biomarkers are only likely to be introduced into routine clinical biochemistry departments if they are supported by a strong evidence base<br>and if the results will improve patient management and outcome. This requires convincing evidence of the benefits of introducing the new test,<br>ideally reflected in fewer hospital admissions, fewer additional investigations and/or fewer clinic visits. Carefully designed audit and cost-benefit<br>studies in relevant patient groups must demonstrate that introducing the biomarker delivers an improved and more effective clinical pathway.<br>From the laboratory perspective, preanalytical requirements must be thoroughly investigated at an early stage. Good stability of the biomarker in<br>relevant physiological matrices is essential to avoid the need for special processing. This article will focus on how these biomarkers have been<br>used in preventive medicine-diagnosis therapeutics and prognostics as well as public health and their current status in d practice. This article also<br>describes the major uses of biomarkers in clinical investigation. Careful assessment of the validity of biomarkers is required with respect to the<br>stage of disease. Causes of variability in the measurement of biomarkers range from the individual laboratory. Issues that affect the analysis of<br>biomarkers are discussed along recommendations on how to deal with bias and confounding.</p> ER -