The arthritis It is the inflammation of the joints, which hurt, swell and are hot to touch. The affected joints They lose mobility and can deform.
Now, a new study ensures that a new method that uses body fluids can diagnose this disease in Only ten minutes and with high precision.
The results, published in the scientific journal Smallthey also demonstrated that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis could be diagnosed and distinguished with an accuracy greater than 94%. Technology reached accuracy higher than 95% when determining the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
According to previous investigations, more than half of all people over 65 years experience osteoarthritis symptomswhile it is known that rheumatoid arthritis is a serious chronic disease that affects approximately one in 100 people throughout their lives.
Although osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may seem similar, scientists say they differ both in their causes and in their treatments, which makes the differentiation precise in the early diagnostic stage be early “Of the utmost importance.”
But so far, the diagnosis has been based on radiographs, magnetic resonances and blood analysis, that not only consume much but also are expensive and have limited precision.
The doctor Hora and his research team of the Korean Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), in collaboration with the St. Mary’s of Seoul, have developed the technology that allows the diagnosis of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis using synovial fluid, contained in human joints.
The researchers focused on Differences in the composition of metabolites (by -products of chemical processes that occur inside the body) present in the liquid.
Analyzing metabolic differences, have developed a technology capable of distinguishing between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in 10 minutes, in addition to Evaluate the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
The Korean team has used the improved RAMAN dispersion technology by surface (SERS), a phenomenon in which the optical signals of the molecules are They amplify several million times.
Dr. Jung states: “This technology amplifies the signals of the trace molecules present in the synovial fluid and, through a combination of analysis based on AI and mathematical algorithmsdetects tiny substances responsible for arthritis. “
Researchers also developed a simple and fast diagnostic method using a sensor composed of a gold nanostructure Sea hedgehog -shaped Formed on a paper surface with high moisture absorption, which allows efficient detection through body fluids.
In collaboration with the St. Mary’s hospital in Seoul, the research team conducted tests using the new technology in 120 patients. Researchers claim that findings show that technology Not only significantly reduces the time and cost of diagnosis of arthritis, but also guarantees a high level of diagnostic precision.
Jung, KIMS principal researcher, added: “If this technology is marketed, not only will it facilitate the diagnosis, but will also be very useful for Supervise the progress of treatment. “
“We also plan to continue expanding our research to cover a broader range of diseases in the future“He concludes.
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