Patent ID: 8483968

Claim:
A method of diagnosing a human test subject as more likely to either have mild osteoarthritis or not have osteoarthritis, said method comprising, (a) for each gene of a set of genes consisting of CKLFSF3, CPT1A, IL13RA1, ILF1, KIAA0010, PF4, PDK4 and SERPINE1, detecting the level of RNA encoded by said gene in a blood sample from said test subject using at least one oligonucleotide of predetermined sequence which is specific for RNA encoded by said gene and/or for DNA complementary to RNA encoded by said gene, thereby obtaining test levels of RNA encoded by said genes; and (b) applying logistic regression analysis to said test levels to classify the test subject as more likely to either have mild osteoarthritis or not have osteoarthritis, wherein said logistic regression analysis is performed using a logistic regression model fitted to levels of RNA encoded by said genes in blood of subjects having mild osteoarthritis, and levels of RNA encoded by said genes in blood of subjects not having osteoarthritis, thereby diagnosing said human test subject as more likely to either have mild osteoarthritis or not have osteoarthritis.