Abatacept in early polymyalgia rheumatica (ALORS): a proof-of-concept, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

Background: Medium-dose glucocorticoids can improve symptoms in nearly all patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. According to its good safety profile, abatacept could be used instead of glucocorticoids in early polymyalgia rheumatica. We aimed to determine whether the efficacy of abatacept is sufficient to justify larger studies in early polymyalgia rheumatica.