A new biochemical score from synovial fluid for diagnosing septic arthritis
Authors' conclusion
A combined score based on SF markers including glucose, LDH, and lactate may be an effective method for rapidly ruling out SA.
Study context
- Population
- Patients who underwent arthrocentesis with synovial fluid (SF) biochemical analysis; initial cohort May 2018-May 2021, validation cohort June 2021-March 2023190 SF in initial cohort (IC)
- Participants
- 170 patients
- Comparison
- Composite SF biochemical score for septic arthritis (SA) vs non-SA
- Outcome
- Diagnostic performance of the composite score for septic arthritis
Methodological detailsinitial and validation cohorts, ROC-derived thresholds
- Initial and validation cohorts
- ROC-derived thresholds
Performance
As reported in the abstract
SA diagnosis, initial cohort
| Strategy | Sensitivity | Specificity |
|---|---|---|
| Score ≥3 | 100% | 73.9% |
| Score ≥5 | 55.5% | 97.8% |
Sensitivity
Score ≥3100%
Score ≥555.5%
Specificity
Score ≥373.9%
Score ≥597.8%
Further findings
SF marker levels, SA vs non-SA and crystal-related arthritis (C-rA)
- Glucose lower, lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) higher in SA than non-SA and C-rA
- P < 0.001
Original publication
A new biochemical score from synovial fluid for diagnosing septic arthritis. Joint Bone Spine. Published 26 September 2025. doi:10.
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