This study by Rech, et al. shows that 6-month treatment with abatacept was associated with a decrease in MRI inflammation, clinical symptoms, and risk of RA development in participants at high risk. The effects of the intervention persist through a 1-year drug-free observation phase.

Patients with a history of joint pain who tested positive for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies were monitored for an 18-month period, with the first six months consisting of a treatment phase where patients were randomised 1:1 to abatacept or placebo. Patients were then observed in a 1-year drug-free observation period.