New Blood Test Predicts Risk of Death in Next 10 Years

Introduction

A new blood test has been developed that can predict a person’s risk of death within the next 10 years with an accuracy rate of up to 83%1. This test measures 14 different biomarkers in the blood that are linked with all-cause mortality2.

Deep Dive

The test was developed by a team of researchers from across Europe, led by molecular epidemiologist Eline Slagboom from Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands1. The team analyzed blood samples from 44,168 individuals aged between 18 and 109, and identified 14 biomarkers independently associated with mortality2.

To test the accuracy of these biomarkers in predicting risk of death, the researchers analyzed them against a cohort of over 7,600 Finnish patients who were studied in 1997. Of this cohort, 1,213 of the participants died during follow-up, and the 14 biomarkers ‘predicted’ their deaths within five to 10 years with approximately 83 percent accuracy2.

The researchers believe that this test could potentially be used to guide patient care if further validated in relevant clinical settings2. However, experts commenting on the study say that more work is needed before this kind of test could be used in clinical environments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a new blood test has been developed that can predict a person’s risk of death within the next 10 years with an accuracy rate of up to 83%. This test measures 14 different biomarkers in the blood that are linked with all-cause mortality. While further validation is needed before this test can be used in clinical settings, it has the potential to be a powerful tool for guiding patient care.