A clinical trial funded by Novo Nordisk found that Ozempic (semaglutide) was linked with reduced pain among patients with knee osteoarthritis and obesity.
The study involved 407 participants taking either the active ingredient semaglutide or a placebo for 68 weeks, with roughly 82 percent of participants being women.
The big picture: Pain was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), with the average WOMAC pain score among participants at the start of the trial being 70.9, and by the 68th week, those taking semaglutide reported an average WOMAC pain score of 29.2, while those on placebo reported an average pain score of 43.4.
- Those taking semaglutide reported an average body weight reduction of 13.7 percent, while those on placebo had a 3.2 percent reduction on average.
- The study concluded that among participants with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, treatment with once-weekly injectable semaglutide resulted in significantly greater reductions in body weight and pain related to knee osteoarthritis than placebo.
- Overweight women have a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, and GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide have been explored for potential benefits in treating addiction, kidney failure, liver disease, and early Alzheimer’s disease.
