An investigation of whether increased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in serum is a specific marker for joint destruction done by comparing serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein between patients with RA and patients with other inflammatory rheumatic diseases with less cartilage-destructive arthritis was able to confirm the conclusion that serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels are highly specific markers for the cartilage degradation process in RA (Skoumal et al. 2004). The gene discussed is COMP; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.