A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that semaglutide, the active ingredient in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, demonstrates significant efficacy in treating knee osteoarthritis. The multi-national trial, conducted across 11 countries, revealed that patients receiving weekly semaglutide injections experienced substantial reductions in knee pain, leading some to be effectively "treated out" of the study due to the extent of their improvement.
Significant Pain Reduction Observed
Dr. Bob Carter, deputy director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, who was not involved in the study, described the improvements in knee pain as "incredible." According to Carter, patients experienced an almost 50% reduction in their knee pain, a magnitude of improvement not previously observed with other pharmaceutical interventions.
The trial involved approximately 400 obese patients with an average baseline pain score of 71 (on a scale of 1 to 100). Participants were administered weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo. The semaglutide group demonstrated a 42-point average reduction in pain scores, compared to a 28-point reduction in the placebo group. Furthermore, patients on semaglutide reported increased ease in everyday mobility, such as climbing stairs.
Potential Mechanisms of Action
While weight loss is a known factor in alleviating knee osteoarthritis symptoms, researchers suggest that semaglutide's anti-inflammatory properties may also contribute to the observed benefits. The study authors postulate that these anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to the reduction in weight, play a significant role in the pain reduction experienced by patients.
Concerns Regarding Long-Term Use
Despite the promising results, Dr. Henning Bliddal, the lead trial director, expressed concerns about the long-term implications of semaglutide use. Specifically, he questioned whether patients would need to remain on semaglutide indefinitely to maintain the benefits, as weight regain could potentially lead to a recurrence of arthritis pain. The study was sponsored by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Implications for Osteoarthritis Treatment
These findings represent a potentially significant advancement in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, offering a novel therapeutic approach for patients who are overweight and experience chronic knee pain. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of semaglutide on osteoarthritis and to determine the optimal duration of treatment.
