This innovative diagnostic tool employs Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technology, which amplifies the optical signals of molecules, combined with AI-based analysis and mathematical algorithms to accurately detect trace substances linked to arthritis.

This innovation marks a first in Korea and addresses the urgent need for swift and accurate differentiation between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which require different treatment approaches.

Dr. Ho Sang Jung and his team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), in collaboration with Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, have developed a groundbreaking rapid diagnostic technology that can identify osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis using synovial fluid in just 10 minutes.

The sensor utilized in this method features a unique sea urchin-shaped gold nanostructure on a moisture-absorbing paper surface, enabling efficient detection of biomarkers from body fluids.

In clinical tests involving 120 patients, the new tool demonstrated over 94% accuracy in distinguishing between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and more than 95% accuracy in assessing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

With over 50% of individuals aged 65 and older showing symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affecting approximately 1 in 100 people throughout their lives, the need for accurate early diagnosis is critical.

The diagnostic method analyzes the Raman spectra of synovial fluid samples and correlates them with hematology results and known metabolic biomarkers using advanced mathematical techniques.

Traditional diagnostic methods, including X-rays and blood tests, are often time-consuming, costly, and lack the accuracy needed for early disease detection, highlighting the significance of this new approach.

If commercialized, this technology could not only enhance diagnostic speed and accuracy but also assist in monitoring treatment progress, with plans to expand its application to other diseases in the future.

The research was funded by various programs from the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the findings were published in the April 2025 issue of the journal Small.

While the sample size in the study is significant, researchers acknowledge that it may not fully represent inter-patient variability, and future studies will aim to validate these findings over time.

Synovial fluid, which contains over 1,000 metabolites, offers a more direct reflection of joint health than blood tests, making it an invaluable source for identifying disease-specific biomarkers.