Breakthrough Study Finds Drug Can Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Lancet-published trial led by King’s College London shows abatacept injections significantly reduce the risk of developing RA, offering new hope for prevention.

A breakthrough study published in The Lancet shows that weekly injections of the drug abatacept can prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, reducing the risk by 80% during a trial.
The trial, led by King’s College London, involved 213 participants with early symptoms of RA and found significant benefits from the drug, suggesting long-term advantages.
Abatacept, already available on the NHS for existing RA patients, targets the immune system to prevent it from attacking the joints, offering hope for those at risk.
The study could significantly impact the NHS, potentially saving millions by preventing or delaying the onset of RA, which costs the NHS £560 million annually.
Experts and charities like Versus Arthritis hail the findings as a major advancement in arthritis treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.