Scanning for osteoarthritis

Citation

(2009), "Scanning for osteoarthritis", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2009.01739aab.038

Scanning for osteoarthritis

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 39, Issue 1

Many health problems can be effectively treated and managed if they are caught early enough. But until now, diagnosing the early stage of osteoarthritis, the often cripplingly painful disease that causes damage to the joints and is thought to affect around 8.5 million Brits has been tricky. That is because diagnosis currently relies on x-ray evidence and physical examination, both of which may not spot signs of the disease until it is in its later stages.

However scientists have just announced the development of new medical imaging technology that can spot signs of osteoarthritis even before it starts causing joint damage.

Dr Alexej Jerschow, from New York University, is behind the new diagnosis method, and presented his findings at the recent annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia. Dr Jerschow uses an MRI scanner already commonly used in hospitals to measure levels of a substance called glycosaminoglycan (GAG). GAG is a polymer that holds a large amount of water and helps make cartilage tough and elastic. Indeed, a low concentration of GAG is linked to the onset of osteoarthritis and other cartilage disorders.

“Our methods have the potential of providing early warning signs for cartilage disorders like osteoarthritis, thus potentially avoiding surgery and physical therapy later on”, says Dr Jerschow.

Nutritional help

Another benefit of the new technology is that it could help detect how effective new and existing osteoarthritis drugs are at combating the disease. A growing number of studies, however, suggest that a nutritional substance called glucosamine which is commonly used by Osteoarthritis sufferers is effective at both building new cartilage and helping to relieve joint pain.