£50 test will give ten-year warning of osteoarthritis

A SIMPLE and 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 the cartilage that helps our joints take the strain of bending, lifting, gripping and kneeling. It affects more than eight million Britons.

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 signs of the condition.

Scientists have shown the blood from those with osteo- arthritis 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.’

While there are no drugs that rebuild the lost cartilage, exercise can help hold the disease at bay.

Dr Rabbani said: ‘ For early osteoarthritis, the view is that lifestyle changes might be effective, at least in some cases, to decrease the strain on the joints. For examples, loss of weight, attention to correct posture and changes to diet.’

The researcher says the technique is cheaper and less invasive than other techniques used to diagnose osteoarthritis, including MRI scans and keyhole cameras.

Blood samples could be taken in doctor’s surgeries, analysed in hospital labs and the results back in two to three days.

Dr Rabbani says the technology is ‘good to go’ and the NHS could easily implement it.

Arthritis UK described the research as ‘of great interest’. Dr Stephen Simpson, the charity’s director of research, said: ‘ At present there are no simple tests for the early diagnosis of osteoarthritis, and usually by the time a definitive diagnosis is made, the disease is in its advanced stages.’

‘Remarkable and unexpected’