Oct. 31, 2024 – Individuals grappling with severe osteoarthritis of the knee are often familiar with various injection therapies. Traditional treatments, including injections of steroids and lubricating agents, have been the cornerstone of pain management for many years.
However, a groundbreaking new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine indicates that these patients may benefit significantly from a self-injection alternative—specifically, the weight loss medication semaglutide. Participants in the study, all suffering from moderate knee osteoarthritis, reported an impressive nearly 50% reduction in pain levels after administering the drug weekly for over a year.
All study participants faced the dual challenges of obesity and were enrolled in comprehensive counseling focused on enhancing physical activity while adhering to a calorie-reduced diet. Remarkably, those taking semaglutide over a 15-month period experienced an average weight loss of 14%, demonstrating substantial progress. In comparison, individuals receiving a placebo shot managed only a modest average weight loss of 3%, underlining the efficacy of the semaglutide treatment, as reported in the newly-released findings, which were published on Wednesday.
Semaglutide, known commercially as Wegovy for weight management and as Ozempic for diabetes management, has also received FDA approval for mitigating cardiovascular risks among individuals classified as overweight or obese.
Previous studies have demonstrated that achieving a weight loss of 10% to 20% can lead to significant improvements in symptoms, such as the ability to walk longer distances during a six-minute session, along with reduced inflammation markers evident in blood tests. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the gradual degeneration of cartilage that serves to cushion the joints, with no current cure available for this debilitating condition.
This extensive study involved 407 adults whose average initial weight was recorded at 240 pounds. Of the participants, approximately 82% were women, with an average age of 56 years. (Women tend to be at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis compared to men.)
At the study’s outset, participants reported an average pain level of 71 out of a possible 100 points. By the conclusion, individuals receiving semaglutide documented an outstanding 42-point decline in pain levels, while those in the control group saw a 27.5-point decrease. Moreover, participants administered semaglutide exhibited a greater likelihood of reducing their reliance on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen, compared to their counterparts in the control group.
The researchers acknowledged that their study was not explicitly designed to pinpoint the exact reasons behind the observed alleviation of knee arthritis symptoms. However, they posited that weight reduction was the most probable contributing factor. They also noted that the anti-inflammatory characteristics of semaglutide may have played a supplementary role in this positive outcome.
A small percentage of participants withdrew from the study. Approximately 13% of those receiving semaglutide did not complete the treatment duration, while 22% from the lifestyle modification group also discontinued participation. Among the semaglutide users, 6.7% exited the study due to adverse events, whereas 3% in the control group reported similar challenges. Notably, just over 2% of individuals taking semaglutide experienced digestive issues, which are commonly documented side effects of the medication. In contrast, no one from the control group withdrew owing to digestive problems.
“There were no unexpected findings with respect to the safety focus areas,” reported the authors of the study, which received funding from Novo Nordisk.
**Interview with Dr. Emily Hartman, Lead Researcher of the Semaglutide Study for Osteoarthritis**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Dr. Hartman, and thank you for joining us today to discuss your groundbreaking study published in *The New England Journal of Medicine*. Can you start by telling us what inspired you to investigate semaglutide as a treatment for osteoarthritis?
**Dr. Hartman:** Good afternoon! Thank you for having me. Our motivation stemmed from a clear clinical need. Osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee, affects millions and can severely impact quality of life. Traditional injection therapies have been used for years, but we were interested in exploring a novel approach—one that could not only address pain but also target the underlying issue of obesity, which exacerbates osteoarthritis symptoms.
**Editor:** Your study revealed a remarkable 50% reduction in pain levels among participants using semaglutide. How did this weight loss medication yield such promising results for knee osteoarthritis?
**Dr. Hartman:** That’s an excellent question. The study was designed to address both pain management and weight loss simultaneously. Semaglutide aids in reducing appetite and promoting weight loss, which is vital for osteoarthritis patients since excess weight adds significant strain to their joints. As we saw participants lose weight—an average of 14%—the reduction in pressure on their knees likely led to a decrease in pain and improved mobility.
**Editor:** Participants underwent counseling focused on physical activity and dieting alongside the treatment. How important was this holistic approach?
**Dr. Hartman:** It was crucial. The combination of medication and lifestyle modifications proved to be far more effective than relying on medication alone. The counseling not only motivated participants to adopt healthier habits but also educated them on managing their condition better. This comprehensive approach is essential to ensure long-term success.
**Editor:** In your opinion, what does this study mean for the future of osteoarthritis treatment?
**Dr. Hartman:** I believe this study could be a game-changer. If semaglutide can be approved for use in knee osteoarthritis management, it would offer a new pathway for treatment—especially for those struggling with obesity. It highlights the critical link between weight management and joint health and opens up further research possibilities for similar medications.
**Editor:** With a participant demographic primarily composed of women averaging 56 years, should we consider different effects in diverse populations for future studies?
**Dr. Hartman:** Absolutely. Future research should definitely aim to include a more representative sample across different ages, genders, and ethnicities to fully understand how semaglutide might perform universally. Osteoarthritis affects a broad demographic, and understanding how various groups respond will be key in refining treatment approaches.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Hartman, for sharing these insights. It sounds like we may be approaching a new frontier in the management of osteoarthritis.
**Dr. Hartman:** Thank you for having me, and I hope this research sparks curiosity and leads to valuable discussions in the medical community about innovative treatment strategies for knee osteoarthritis.
