Genetic test for diagnosis of rheumatic diseases started for first time in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov 25: For the first time in Nepal, three new tests have been launched to diagnose the genetic causes of rheumatism.

The Next Gen Lab Solutions has launched three types of genetic tests to detect three types of rheumatic diseases.

Naresh Pandey, Managing Director of The Next Gen Lab Solutions, said that for the first time in Nepal, three new tests have been initiated for the diagnosis of rheumatism.

According to him, three types of tests have been introduced for rheumatic disease identification: HLA-DR4, HLA-B51, and HLA-B27.

He stated that this method allows for the early detection of rheumatism, making it easier to treat the patient.

Managing Director Pandey stated that by identifying the rheumatic disease early through those tests, the patient would not need to take medication for a long period.

Before, the specimen had to be sent abroad for those three types of tests in order to diagnose rheumatic diseases. The specimen had to be send to the USA for the ‘HLA–DR4’ test and to India for the ‘HLA–B51’ and ‘HLA–B27’ tests.

Dr Sudhir Karmacharya, a rheumatic disease specialist at the Rheumatic Disease Centre, stated that it will be easier to treat patients as the three types of tests to diagnose the disease are now available in Nepal. Now that the tests are available in Nepal, the hassle of sending the specimens abroad for testing has been eliminated.

Dr Karmacharya said that 28 percent of Nepal's total population suffers from some form of rheumatic disease and only 10 percent of those with rheumatic diseases receive timely treatment. (RSS)