The first blood test to detect early-stage osteoarthritis (OA) appears to be in sight, according to research published online recently in Scientific Reports. The hope is that the test can identify OA before it becomes severe.
The biomarker, called citrullinated protein (CP), is found in the blood. The test utilizes 3 biomarkers, including CP, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, and hydroxyproline, a bone-derived substance. The test appears to be able to detect early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well and to discriminate between OA and RA.
Lead author Naila Rabbani, PhD, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom, noted that there already is an established test for early-stage RA, but there are no tests for OA.
“We believe our new test will refine existing tests for early-stage RA and for the first time provide a biochemical test for early-stage OA. This remarkable and unexpected finding could facilitate appropriate early-stage treatment for arthritis, maximizing the chances of success,” she stated.
The authors wrote that their “diagnosis algorithm [meets] the unmet clinical need for early-stage diagnosis and typing of arthritis. Combination of [the 3 biomarkers]...gave specific and sensitive detection and discrimination of [early] OA, [early] RA, non-RA and good skeletal health.”
Previous studies have shown that patients with early-stage RA have
anti-CCP antibodies, but prior to the present study, this had not been shown in OA. Increased levels of CPs were seen in both early-stage OA and RA in this study. Using the algorithm of 3 biomarkers showed that anti-CCP antibodies are found in early-stage RA, whereas the absence of these antibodies characterizes early OA. This single test can potentially detect and discriminate between early-stage OA and RA before joint destruction can occur. Ahmed U, et al. Sci Rep. Published online: March 19, 2015.
Last modified: June 29, 2015