Study Shows Body Fluid Test Can Identify Arthritis Within 10 Minutes

New Delhi: New research from South Korea has introduced a fast and simple method to diagnose osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in just 10 minutes using body fluids. The technology, developed by scientists from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) in collaboration with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, offers a faster and more accessible alternative to traditional diagnostic methods such as X-rays, MRIs, and blood tests.

Osteoarthritis affects more than half of people aged 65 and older, while rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune condition, impacts roughly 1 in 100 people during their lifetime. Despite some similarities, the two conditions differ in their causes and treatments, making early and accurate diagnosis essential.

The researchers focused on synovial fluid, the lubricating liquid found in joints, and studied differences in metabolites—chemical byproducts present in the fluid. These differences allowed the team to develop a method capable of distinguishing between the two types of arthritis and evaluating the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

The test uses Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), a technique that amplifies optical signals from molecules millions of times. By combining this with AI-powered analysis and mathematical algorithms, the system detects even trace substances linked to arthritis.

The team also created a sensor made from sea urchin-shaped gold nanostructures on a moisture-absorbent paper surface, allowing easy and efficient testing using small fluid samples.

Tests conducted on 120 patients showed more than 94% accuracy in distinguishing between the two conditions and over 95% accuracy in assessing rheumatoid arthritis severity. The findings were published in Small, a leading journal in nanomaterials.

According to Dr. Ho Sang Jung of KIMS, the technology could also be useful for monitoring treatment progress and may be adapted to diagnose other diseases in future research.