A simple an inexpensive blood test for the most common form of arthritis has been developed by British scientists.
It is hoped it will be possible diagnose osteoarthritis up to a decade earlier than current techniques, just by analysing a single drop of blood.
Caught early, even something as simple as losing weight could slow progression of the painful and debilitating condition.
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is caused by wear and tear of cartilage that helps our joints take the strain of bending, lifting, gripping and kneeling.
There is no specific test for it and it is often not diagnosed until it has reached such a late stage that the joints are so badly damaged that surgery is the only option.
The breakthrough, from Warwick University, involves using a single drop of blood to look for tell-tale signs of the condition.
Scientists have shown the blood from people with osteoarthritis contains higher levels of two compounds than samples from healthy people.
The test, which could cost as little as £50 and uses equipment common in hospital labs, is ‘very accurate’.
It correctly diagnosed the condition in 22 out of 30 people, the journal Nature Scientific Reports says.
Importantly, it is able to spot the disease early in its progression and rule out other possible causes of joint pain.
Lead researcher Dr Naila Rabbani said: ‘This is a remarkable and unexpected finding.
‘It could help bring early-stage and appropriate treatment for arthritis, which gives the best chance of effective treatment.’
The Latest on: Arthritis blood test
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Arthritis blood test” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Arthritis blood test
- Medical Moment: How poverty impacts inflammationon April 19, 2024 at 6:38 pm
There’s one test that some believe your doctor may be missing, and that one could be life-saving for millions of people.
- Could a blood test diagnose arthritis?on April 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm
On testing the blood samples ... possible to have a virtually foolproof test showing an individual's risk of becoming ill. Dr Madeline Devey of the Arthritis Research Campaign said early detection ...
- Which Tests Are Used to Diagnose Psoriatic Arthritis?on April 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm
There isn’t one single test that diagnoses psoriatic arthritis (PsA ... doctor may also look for signs of inflammation in your blood. However, people with PsA often have typical levels.
- ACL surgery linked to higher risk of arthritis in young adultson April 10, 2024 at 8:55 am
Early-onset arthritis may hit as many as one in every four young people who undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgeries, new research warns.
- Important Blood Tests All Adults Should Get Done Frequently And Whyon April 10, 2024 at 12:07 am
As you age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize your health and well-being. Regular check-ups and blood tests are essential for detecting potential health issues before they become severe.
- Precision Diagnostics Can Save Money In Healthcare: What’s Holding Them Back?on April 8, 2024 at 3:02 pm
Precision medicine allows for more efficient use of costly medicines. But to accomplish this, the pricing and reimbursement model for diagnostic tests needs reform.
- Systemic Inflammation Index: A new hope for autoimmune disease managementon April 2, 2024 at 10:57 pm
A routine blood test that measures a patient's inflammation levels could improve the early diagnosis and management of a wide range of debilitating autoimmune diseases.
- Arthritis and arthralgia: Know the difference between these joint pain conditionson April 2, 2024 at 7:15 pm
When there is pain in the joints, two terms pop up in our mind - arthritis and arthralgia. The two conditions may be associated with joint pain, but there are differences between the two. While ...
- Blood Test News and Researchon March 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A simple blood test every five years is sufficient to screen ... making it the UK’s most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Cases among people in their 20s and 30s have increased by 30% ...
- What Does Psoriatic Arthritis Look and Feel Like?on March 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
If you have other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may order a blood test to determine whether you have anemia. Because many forms of arthritis are often similar, making an appointment ...
via Bing News