People at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be able to postpone the disease for years with early treatment, according to new research from King's College London. The study found that a one year course of the biologic drug abatacept significantly delayed the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, with benefits continuing long after treatment ended.
Published in The Lancet Rheumatology, the research extends findings from an earlier clinical trial reported by King's researchers in 2024. The original study followed 213 participants from the UK and the Netherlands for two years. The latest analysis tracked participants for between four and eight years, making it one of the longest follow up studies ever conducted in people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Early Treatment Delays Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term autoimmune disease that affects roughly half a million people in the UK. The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, leading to pain, swelling, fatigue, and, over time, permanent joint damage and disability.
People who are at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis often experience challenges even before receiving a diagnosis. Many leave the workforce before the disease fully develops, creating financial and employment difficulties.
