Laser Light Transmission Test Could Detect Early Arthritis

November 1, 2002

By Hannah Cleaver

BERLIN (Reuters Health) Oct 31 - German researchers are developing a

technique for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis using laser light, which they

say takes just a few minutes to give a result and should pick up the

condition earlier than current tests.

" The diagnosis is made using a laser scanner, almost like the red pointers

that people have. It sends an infra-red light through a joint, usually a

finger joint. " Professor Juergen Beuthan of the Berlin Free University's

institute for medical physics and laser medicine told Reuters Health. " The

degree by which the light is scattered as it passes through the tissue is

then processed by a computer. If the light is scattered more than usual, it

means there could be a problem. "

The technique does not look at the condition of the bone in the joint,

rather it gives information about joint fluid and the membrane surrounding

the bone. If the light is more scattered than in a normal joint, it means

the fluid has thickened, indicating the early onset of rheumatism.

Professor Beuthan said he was optimistic the test will give physicians an

early jump on the condition. " There is no cure for this arthritis but with

early diagnosis the patient and their doctor have the chance to act and

delay the full onset of the condition, " he said.

" A doctor using this diagnosis technique must also look to clinical

indications, " he added. " We are not creating a machine which can do

everything but it should be an extremely helpful tool in making early

diagnosis. "

He has been working on the scanner for a number of years, developing the

technology with German technology giant Siemens which intends to manufacture

and sell the equipment if all goes according to plan.

Initial tests carried out in Goettingen University in southern Germany have

involved around 180 joints, said Professor Beuthan, yielding a sensitivity

of more than 80%.

" We are getting ready to conduct the clinical trial at the Berlin Charite

Hospital, " he said. " It will involve at least 70 patients and will be

comparative against other techniques such as X-ray and MRI. It will start

before the end of the year and take up to a year to complete. "

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