Warwick University are engaged in research that could see a blood test developed that can provide an early diagnosis of osteoarthritis several years before the onset of physical and irreversible symptoms.
The blood test will work by allowing the detection of damaged proteins in samples from patients but at markedly lower levels than they would usually be found. This will provide identifiable markers much earlier in the diagnostic process.
According to Dr Naila Rabbani of Warwick Medical School: “Damage to proteins in the arthritic joint have been known for many years but this is the first time it has been exploited for early-stage diagnosis.
For the first time we measured small fragments from damaged proteins that leak from the joint into blood. The combination of changes in oxidised, nitrated and sugar-modified amino acids in blood enabled early stage detection and classification of arthritis – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other self-resolving inflammatory joint disease.
This is a big step forward for early-stage detection of arthritis that will help start treatment early and prevent painful and debilitating disease.”
Read more about this research on the Warwick University’s website.
For the full research article you can visit Arthritis Research and Therapy.
If you are living with arthritis and are looking for helpful content take a look at the following talkhealth resources:
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