New research reveals anti-obesity drug offers life-changing relief for arthritis

A new clinical trial across 11 countries has shown that a groundbreaking anti-obesity drug offers substantial relief from the pain associated with obesity-related knee arthritis, significantly enhancing the ability of individuals to engage in daily activities like walking. This research, the first of its kind, has proven that one of the latest generation of anti-obesity medications can indeed help manage arthritis. The medication in focus, semaglutide, was found to provide pain relief comparable to that of opioid-based treatments.

At the close of the trial, many participants reported such a reduction in pain that they no longer qualified to continue in the study, says Dr Henning Bliddal, a rheumatologist at Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, who was involved in the trial. “They received a treatment so effective that they were essentially ‘treated out of the study,’” he explains.

These results represent a promising development for those with knee osteoarthritis, notes Dr Leigh Callahan, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who commented on the study findings. “The results are important and could be helpful” for those managing knee osteoarthritis, she says.

The study results, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, were backed and designed by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark, and the manufacturer of semaglutide. Sold under the brand names Ozempic for diabetes management and Wegovy for obesity treatment, semaglutide has gained attention for its multifaceted effects. Dr Bliddal served briefly as a paid consultant for Novo Nordisk during the planning phase of the trial.

Osteoarthritis, a common age-related condition that leads to joint stiffness and pain, often affects the knee joint most frequently. Individuals living with obesity are at higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, as the added weight places increased strain on their joints. Furthermore, obesity tends to exacerbate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, notes Dr Callahan. The pain from osteoarthritis often prevents people from engaging in physical activities, making it challenging to achieve weight loss solely through lifestyle adjustments, adds Dr Bliddal.

The clinical trial enrolled around 400 participants across five continents, randomly assigning them to receive either weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo, combined with guidance on healthy eating and physical activity. At the start of the trial, all participants had obesity, and their average pain score was 71 on a 100-point scale — a level where everyday activities, such as walking, were significantly painful.

After 68 weeks of receiving injections, those who were administered semaglutide had lost considerably more weight than those in the placebo group. Additionally, participants who received the drug reported a notably larger reduction in pain, with their scores on the pain scale dropping by an average of 42 points compared to 28 points for those given a placebo. Participants also experienced marked improvements in day-to-day mobility, such as being able to climb stairs more easily.

According to the study authors, the pain relief may stem partly from the reduced weight load on the knee due to weight loss. However, semaglutide also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which could contribute to its effectiveness in alleviating pain.

Despite these promising benefits, Dr Bliddal expresses concern about the long-term implications of using semaglutide for managing knee arthritis pain. “Do these individuals continue using semaglutide indefinitely to manage their pain?” he asks. Evidence shows that most people who stop taking anti-obesity medications tend to regain the weight they had lost. Additionally, these drugs come at a high cost, with monthly expenses potentially reaching several hundred US dollars.

Dr Callahan underscores that while the trial results are “very exciting,” it is essential for individuals to combine anti-obesity medications with lifestyle modifications to maintain weight loss in the long run.