Can blood samples predict arthritic rheumatism?
Levels of inflammatory proteins, so-called cytokines, are elevated in the blood even before the onset of arthritic rheumatism.
This means that such blood samples could be used to predict the development of the disease and thereby make it possible to prevent the pathological process, according to an article by Umea researcher, Solbritt Rantapaa Dahlqvist, and her associates in the international journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.
The results indicate that several years before individuals develop symptoms of arthritic rheumatism, the immune system is activated and the process that leads to arthritic rheumatism has started.
“Our findings point to the possibility of better predicting the development of arthritic rheumatism and perhaps also of preventing the development of the disease,” she said.
