New Blood Test Diagnoses OA in Early Stages
Researchers at the Warwick Medical School’s Clinical Sciences Research Institute, UK, have developed a blood test that can diagnose osteoarthritis (OA) in its early stages, potentially leading to earlier treatment for the debilitating disease and enhanced quality of life for arthritis patients. The test also can differentiate between OA and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There currently is no blood-based test to detect early-stage OA. The findings were published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, online Oct. 27, 2016.
The test, which could be available within two years, identifies the chemical signatures found in the plasma of blood joint proteins that have been damaged by oxidation, nitration and glycation—that is, proteins that have been modified by oxygen, nitrogen, and sugar molecules, resulting in damaged cartilage. These modifications are thought to compromise structural integrity and viscoelasticity of cartilage, impairing its ability to sustain mechanical pressures and joint function, the authors write. RA and OA are both driven by inflammation, OA at least in the early stages.
Algorithms Enable Early Detection. Using algorithms based on 10 damaged amino acids, researchers led by Dr. Naila Rabbani, Reader of Experimental Systems Biology & Deputy Director of RTP–Proteomics at Warwick, analyzed blood samples from patients with OA and RA as well as a healthy control group, and found damaged proteins in the samples of patients with early-stage and advanced OA and RA. Those in the control group had significantly lower levels of damaged proteins in their samples. The algorithms detect early-stage osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and non-rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint Proteins Used for Diagnosis. Damage to proteins in the arthritic joint has been known for many years, but this is the first time the proteins were used for early-stage diagnosis. Damaged proteins leak from the arthritic joint into the blood, enabling earlier detection. The biochemical test using a combination of factors showed a high sensitivity and specificity for early-stage diagnosis and typing of arthritic disease, the authors write. (Sensitivity refers to the positive disease rate, while specificity refers to those without disease—the negative rate.)
These findings bring renewed hope to patients who are at risk for RA or OA, both debilitating in their own right and leading to reduced quality of life.
The post New Blood Test Diagnoses OA in Early Stages appeared first on University Health News.
Read Original Article: New Blood Test Diagnoses OA in Early Stages »
Powered by WPeMatico
