Long-term effects of abatacept on atherosclerosis and arthritis in older vs. younger patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 3-year results of a prospective, multicenter, observational study
Authors' conclusion
ABT may decelerate atherosclerosis progression and may be useful for patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease, such as older patients.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), older vs younger
- Exposure
- Abatacept vs conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), in younger and older patients
- Outcome
- Change from baseline in mean IMT of the common carotid artery, max IMT (bulbus, bifurcation, and internal and common carotid artery), and plaque score
- Follow-up
- Week 156
Methodological detailsopen-label, multicentre, observational
- Open-label
- Multicentre
- Observational
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change in mean IMT, max IMT and plaque score, ABT (AY + AO) vs csDMARD (CY + CO)
- Multivariate analysis: significantly lower increases in plaque score with abatacept (ABT) than with csDMARDs, only when considering disease activity at 156 weeks
- p = 0.0303
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Good or good/moderate EULAR response
- Proportions higher in the ABT group, without significant difference between older and younger patients
ABT retention rate
- No significant differences between older and younger patients
Original publication
Long-term effects of abatacept on atherosclerosis and arthritis in older vs. younger patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 3-year results of a prospective, multicenter, observational study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 17 April 2024. doi:10.
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