Researchers at Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with researchers at the University of Warwick (UoW), UK, have developed a blood test to diagnose early-stage osteoarthritis.
The blood test is designed to quantify modified amino acids released from proteins in the joints into the blood, during the early stages of arthritis, with 92% accuracy, 92% sensitivity and 90% specificity.
The innovation is seen as important, as early detection of arthritis enables timely treatment and support to the patients, before any irreversible damage to the joints.
In addition, the blood test measures the amount and pattern of the chemical compounds, which are characteristic of arthritis.
Specifically, it can identify the type of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other inflammatory joint diseases, helping physicians to take the right treatment decisions.
QU basic medical sciences professor and study lead author Naila Rabbani said: “Use of the test will help guide physicians at the earliest stage at which their patient experiences joint pain as to whether arthritis is present or not.
“Acting on the outcome of this test, the physicians will enable appropriate therapy to be initiated at an early stage when there is a good chance to avoid development to severe disease.”
The researchers developed diagnostic algorithms using machine learning to determine the presence of arthritis or not, based on levels and combinations of the modified amino acids
In addition, they developed algorithms to distinguish between early-stage osteoarthritis, early rheumatoid arthritis, and other self-resolving inflammatory joint disease.
Dr Rabbani has further validated the diagnostic algorithm in studies funded by QU.
Furthermore, the blood test can be used in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments, and post-operative recovery after joint replacement surgery, and could apply to companion animals.
Rabbani added: “Currently there is no test for early-stage diagnosis of osteoarthritis and the test for early-stage rheumatoid arthritis needs improvement. Our test solves both of these problems.
“The test is based on quantifying fragments of damaged protein produced in early-stage arthritis that leak from the joint into the blood. It is based on markers of the disease mechanism and hence achieves great accuracy.”
