By Nicholas Spies, MD
The rapid growth of Food and Drug Administration-approved algorithms — with 100 of the 950 approvals occurring in 2024 alone — signals high expectations for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Add to that the steady stream of proofs-of-concept studies being published in the academic literature, and you might find yourself asking, “Is my laboratory the only one not inundated with AI solutions for all of our clinical workflows?” You are not alone. Despite overwhelming hype and ample opportunity, real-world AI deployment remains limited, and enthusiasm has frequently outpaced measurable improvements in clinical productivity and efficiency.
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by Vishnu Samara, PhD, DABCC
The increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for managing diabetes and obesity necessitates new diagnostic tests for new indications. It’s crucial for laboratory professionals to understand the impact of these medications on routine and specialized test results as well as other alterations in metabolism. Monday’s session, titled, “Metabolic reset in the age of GLP-1 receptor agonists: Changes in metabolism beyond diabetes and weight loss,” explored these issues. Moderated by Steven Cotten, PhD, DABCC, FADLM, it focused on how GLP-1RAs affect metabolic profiles beyond glucose control, highlighting recent clinical trials and additional research on the impact of GLP-1RAs on kidney function, lipid alterations, cardiovascular, liver health, and metabolism.