GLP-1 Agonists Alleviate Knee Osteoarthritis Save
In October, the NEJM published a randomized clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) in patients with obesity and knee osteoarthritis.
A 68-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multinational trial enrolled obese (BMI ≥30) patients with clinical and radiologic knee osteoarthritis with moderate pain. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (2.4 mg) or placebo, plus counseling on physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet. The primary end points was change in body weight and the change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score (on a scale of 0 to 100).
A total of 407 participants were enrolled (mean age 56 years, BMI 40.3, WOMAC score 70.9).
- The mean change in body weight from baseline to week 68 was −13.7% with semaglutide and −3.2% with placebo (P<0.001).
- The mean change in the WOMAC pain score at week 68 was −41.7 points with semaglutide and −27.5 points with placebo (P<0.001).
Semaglutide patients also had greater improvement in SF-36 physical-function scores. Serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. Discontinuation of the trial regimen (form AE) occurred in 6.7% semaglutide vs 3% in the placebo group (primarily gastrointestinal complaints).
GLP-1ra treatment was effective at reducing body weight and improving pain in knee osteoarthritis patients.
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