New research suggests, a simple blood test may soon help doctors identify a debilitating form of arthritis, much before the emergence of any symptoms, helping stop the disease from progressing further. According to the study, elevated inflammatory proteins called cytokines levels in the blood warn of impending rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The new study reports elevated levels of certain markers of inflammation i. e. cytokines and related factors can be detected in the blood stream, long before the development of rheumatoid arthritis or symptoms of the disease emerge.

Solbritt Rantapää-Dahlqvist, MD., one of the researchers in a news release said these findings offer an opportunity for predicting the risk of developing RA, and perhaps, even preventing disease progression.

A painful, progressive condition, rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease attacking the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. In its early stages it is rather difficult to diagnose, often beginning with subtle symptoms like aching joints or stiffness in the early mornings. As well, the fact that other conditions, such as, lupus, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia also mimic the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, makes a definitive diagnosis very difficult.

However, several studies indicate early diagnosis and rheumatoid arthritis treatment is useful in helping sufferers lead a more active life, avoiding joint damage leading to disability.

While, it is not yet understood what causes rheumatoid arthritis, it seems the immune system and synovial tissue that lubricates the joints are said to be involved.

After rheumatoid arthritis develops, the presence of cytokines are pro-inflammatory proteins is evident in the synovial tissue.

For the study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, researchers analyzed blood samples taken from 86 people in Sweden, who did not have any rheumatoid arthritis symptoms at the time of the blood sample was taken, but went on to develop RA later, comparing them with blood samples taken from 256 healthy individuals, to determine whether particular cytokines and related factors are elevated prior to rheumatoid arthritis symptoms emerging.

Researchers found, years before a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, the results showed levels of several cytokines and related factors to be elevated, findings supporting the belief that the immune system was already stimulated and rheumatoid arthritis developing. Thus, if further studies corroborate these results, it is possible screening for elevated cytokines with the help of a blood test, could help diagnose RA before the emergence of any symptoms.

Researchers say by taking into account all 30 markers they measured, the blood test could 86% of the time correctly predict individuals, who will ultimately develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis drugs target some of the inflammatory markers that are elevated, like tumor necrosis factor (TNF).