KarunaNews Story

Scientists have discovered an existing drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic disease which affects about 18 million people globally, that could help slow its progression in those with early symptoms or stop it in its tracks altogether. Of 213 patients recruited from 28 hospital-based early arthritis clinics in the UK and Netherlands, 110 were given abatacept and the rest a placebo. In the abatacept group, 92.8% remained arthritis-free at 12 months, compared with 69.2% in the placebo group. “This research highlights how important it is to spot the early signs of arthritis to give us a chance at stopping it in its tracks,” said Prof. Lucy Donaldson of the charity Versus Arthritis.