Accutane Patients Need Cholesterol and Liver Testing

A new study has found that abnormalities in cholesterol and liver enzymes in Accutane (isotretinoin) patients are even more prevalent than anticipated, disclosing the need for regular testing.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (USA), involved 13,772 Accutane patients, all of whom began with normal lipid levels. Of these, 44% developed high levels of triglycerides, 31% developed high cholesterol levels, and 11% had abnormal liver tests. The researchers concluded that Accutane patients need complex monitoring to ensure that those taking the drug remain healthy. The study results appeared in the August 2006 issue of the Archives of Dermatology.

The Cholestech LDX System, from Cholestech Corporation (Hayward, CA, USA), provides an easy point-of-care (POC) system that enables physicians prescribing Accutane to obtain laboratory-accurate blood results in under five minutes with a simple fingerstick. The immediate in-office risk assessment provided by the LDX system lets doctors determine the appropriate therapeutic course of action for elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and ALT-AST (alanine aminotransferase-aspartate aminotransferase) levels without delay. Additionally, the Cholestech LDX eliminates the administrative overhead costs of external lab testing, while introducing a new potential source of revenue to the practice.

With accuracy comparable to a reference lab, results using the Cholestech LDX are achieved in five minutes or less. A health professional collects a blood sample using a simple fingerstick, inserts a cassette into the portable LDX system, and receives results within minutes. Patient counseling can begin immediately, while practice efficiency begins to accrue.

"The speed and accuracy of lipid and liver enzyme results in Accutane patients are more critical than ever in view of the University of California study widely reported last week. The Cholestech LDX provides a simple and effective method to monitor the health of Accutane patients in-office, using a single instrument with a small fingerstick blood sample. And because the administrative cost in sending a patient to the lab, tracking results, and scheduling follow-up consultations is eliminated, Cholestech LDX helps safeguard the health of Accutane patients, while lowering practice overhead,” said Warren E. Pinckert II, president and CEO of Cholestech.



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