Non-communicable diseases: a field of increasing relevance for laboratory medicine

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic, non-transmissible medical conditions. They are broadly categorized into the four main types of NCDs: chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes but include also other common NCDs such as neurological and mental health disorders or chronic kidney diseases. They account for over 80 % of the disease burden in EU countries and are the leading causes of premature death. Risk factors for NCDs include behavioral factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco or alcohol use, metabolic risk factors such as obesity, abnormal blood lipids or raised blood pressure as well as environmental factors including contact with air pollen and pollution or other harmful agents. Clinical management of NCDs consists of detecting, screening and treating these diseases. The search for and identification of specific biomarkers is a major milestone in understanding disease pathology and should assist the detection, treatment and management of multiple NCDs. Thereby, a close cooperation between laboratory medicine and other clinical departments is important. Here we review our recent contributions in laboratory diagnostic and biomarker research in the management of NCDs in national and international collaborations.