Patent ID: 7964360

Claim:
A method for detecting cartilage destruction in a subject, said method comprising calculating an uncoupling index for the uncoupling of type II collagen synthesis from type II collagen degradation in one or more biological samples from the subject, wherein detecting an uncoupling of type II collagen synthesis from type II collagen degradation in the subject comprises: (a) quantitating both a marker of cartilage synthesis and a marker of cartilage degradation in the one or more biological samples of the subject, the samples being of the same source obtained within a 24 hour period; (b) comparing the amounts of the marker of cartilage synthesis and the marker of cartilage degradation with, respectively, the amounts of the marker of cartilage synthesis and the marker of cartilage degradation in a healthy individual; wherein an uncoupling index score indicating an amount of cartilage degradation marker greater than 1 standard deviation above that found in a healthy individual, and an amount of cartilage synthesis marker greater than 1 standard deviation below that found in a healthy individual, indicates cartilage destruction in the subject.