People with severe osteoarthritis of the knee are often no strangers to shots. Injections of steroids and lubricating substances have been a go-to treatment for years. However, a recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests a new self-injection option: the weight loss drug semaglutide. Individuals with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee who took the drug weekly for over a year reported nearly a 50% decrease in their pain levels.
All participants in the study had obesity and were involved in counseling concerning physical activities and a reduced-calorie diet. Those who took semaglutide for 15 months lost an average of 14% of their body weight, while those who received a placebo shot lost an average of only 3% of their body weight.
Semaglutide is marketed under the name Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes. The FDA has also approved it to reduce the risks related to heart and blood vessels for individuals with overweight or obesity. Lead study author Henning Bliddal, MD, MSci, emphasized the significance of finding non-surgical and sustainable treatment options for obesity-related osteoarthritis, especially since obesity can increase the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis more than four-fold.
Past studies have indicated that weight loss of 10% to 20% can lead to a substantial reduction in osteoarthritis symptoms, including improved walking capability and diminished signs of inflammation. The study examined 407 adults, predominantly women with an average weight of 240 pounds and an average age of 56. Participants reported an average pain level of 71 out of 100 points at the start of the study. By the conclusion of the study, those on semaglutide reported a remarkable 42-point decrease in pain, compared to a 27.5-point drop for the control group.
Notably, individuals taking semaglutide were more likely to cut back on their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen compared to the control group. While the researchers could not definitively identify the exact cause of the reduced knee arthritis symptoms, they hypothesized that weight loss was likely the most significant factor, though the anti-inflammatory properties of semaglutide may also have played a role.
It is important to note that some participants dropped out of the study, with 13% of those on semaglutide not completing the treatment, and 22% from the diet and exercise group also not finishing. Adverse events led to 6.7% of those taking semaglutide and 3% of the control group dropping out. About 2% of those using semaglutide reported digestive problems, a common side effect associated with the drug.
This study underscores the potential of weight loss drugs like semaglutide as a promising alternative treatment for individuals suffering from obesity-related knee osteoarthritis, pointing toward a future where patients may have more non-surgical options available to manage their condition effectively.
Source: WebMD
