Ultra Fast Synovial Fluid Test Diagnoses Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis In 10 Minutes

Studies indicate that more than 50% of individuals aged 65 and older experience symptoms of osteoarthritis, while rheumatoid arthritis is a serious chronic condition affecting approximately 1 in 100 people during their lifetime. Although osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may appear similar, they have distinct causes and require different treatments, making accurate early diagnosis crucial. Traditionally, diagnosis has relied on X-rays, MRI scans, and blood tests, all of which are time-consuming, expensive, and not always accurate. Now, a new technology enables the diagnosis of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis within 10 minutes using synovial fluid produced in human joints.

A research team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea) and their collaborators focused on differences in the composition of metabolites—byproducts of chemical processes within the body—found in synovial fluid. By analyzing these metabolic variations, the team developed a technology capable of distinguishing between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in just 10 minutes, while also evaluating the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers employed Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technology, which amplifies the optical signals of molecules by several million times. This technique enhances the signals of trace molecules in synovial fluid, and, combined with AI-driven analysis and mathematical algorithms, it can detect tiny substances responsible for arthritis.

Additionally, the team designed a rapid and simple diagnostic method using a sensor made from a sea urchin-shaped gold nanostructure on a paper surface that has high moisture absorption, allowing for efficient detection through body fluids. In collaboration with their research partners, the team conducted tests with this technology on 120 patients. The results, published in the journal Small, demonstrated that the technology could diagnose and differentiate osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis with over 94% accuracy. Moreover, it achieved more than 95% accuracy in determining the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. These findings show that this technology not only significantly reduces the time and cost of diagnosing arthritis but also ensures a high degree of diagnostic precision.

“If this technology is commercialized, it will not only aid in diagnosis but also be highly useful in monitoring treatment progress,” said Dr. Ho Sang Jung, the lead researcher at KIMS. “We also plan to continue expanding our research to cover a wider range of diseases in the future.”