The Times Australia
Health

.
The Times Real Estate

.

New study suggests weight loss drugs like Ozempic could help with knee pain. Here’s why there may be a link

  • Written by Giovanni E. Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney

The drug semaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Ozempic or Wegovy, was originally developed[1] to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

However, researchers have discovered it may help with other health issues, too. Clinical trials show semaglutide can be effective for weight loss[2], and hundreds of thousands of people around the world are using it for this purpose[3].

Evidence has also shown the drug can help manage heart failure[4] and chronic kidney disease[5] in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Now, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine[6] has suggested semaglutide can improve knee pain in people with obesity and osteoarthritis. So what did this study find, and how could semaglutide and osteoarthritis pain be linked?

Osteoarthritis and obesity

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease, affecting 2.1 million Australians[7]. Most people with osteoarthritis have pain[8] and find it difficult to perform common daily activities such as walking. The knee is the joint most commonly affected[9] by osteoarthritis.

Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor[10] for osteoarthritis in the knee. The link between the two conditions is complex[11]. It involves a combination of increased load on the knee, metabolic factors[12] such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar, and inflammation.

For example, elevated blood sugar levels increase the production of inflammatory molecules in the body, which can damage the cartilage in the knee, and lead to the development of osteoarthritis[13].

Weight loss is strongly recommended to reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis in people who are overweight or obese. International[14] and Australian guidelines[15] suggest losing as little as 5% of body weight can help.

But losing weight with just diet and exercise can be difficult for many people. One study[16] from the United Kingdom found the annual probability of people with obesity losing 5% or more of their body weight was less than one in ten.

Semaglutide has recently entered the market as a potential alternative route to weight loss. It comes from a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and works by increasing a person’s sense of fullness.

Semaglutide for osteoarthritis?

The rationale for the recent study[17] was that while we know weight loss alleviates symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists was yet to be explored. So the researchers set out to understand what effect semaglutide might have on knee osteoarthritis pain, alongside body weight.

They randomly allocated 407 people with obesity and moderate osteoarthritis into one of two groups. One group received semaglutide once a week, while the other group received a placebo. Both groups were treated for 68 weeks and received counselling on diet and physical activity. At the end of the treatment phase, researchers measured changes in knee pain, function, and body weight.

As expected, those taking semaglutide lost more weight than those in the placebo group. People on semaglutide lost around 13% of their body weight on average, while those taking the placebo lost around 3% on average. More than 70% of people in the semaglutide group lost at least 10% of their body weight compared to just over 9% of people in the placebo group.

A man outdoors holding his knee.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common type of osteoarthritis. SKT Studio/Shutterstock[18]

The study found semaglutide reduced knee pain significantly more than the placebo. Participants who took semaglutide reported an additional 14-point reduction in pain on a 0–100 scale compared to the placebo group.

This is much greater than the pain reduction in another recent study[19] among people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis. This study investigated the effects of a diet and exercise program compared to an attention control (where participants are provided with information about nutrition and physical activity). The results here saw only a 3-point difference between the intervention group and the control group on the same scale.

The amount of pain relief reported in the semaglutide trial is also larger than that reported with commonly used pain medicines such as anti-inflammatories[20], opioids[21] and antidepressants[22].

Semaglutide also improved knee function compared to the placebo. For example, people who took semaglutide could walk about 42 meters further than those on the placebo in a six-minute walking test.

How could semaglutide reduce knee pain?

It’s not fully clear how semaglutide helps with knee pain from osteoarthritis. One explanation may be that when a person loses weight, there’s less stress on the joints, which reduces pain.

But recent studies have also suggested semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists might have anti-inflammatory[23] properties, and could even protect against cartilage wear and tear[24].

While the results of this new study are promising, it’s too soon to regard semaglutide as a “miracle drug” for knee osteoarthritis. And as this study was funded by the drug company that makes semaglutide, it will be important to have independent studies in the future, to confirm the findings, or not.

The study also had strict criteria, excluding some groups, such as those taking opioids for knee pain. One in seven Australians seeing a GP for their knee osteoarthritis are prescribed opioids[25]. Most participants in the trial were white (61%) and women (82%). This means the study may not fully represent the average person with knee osteoarthritis and obesity.

It’s also important to consider semaglutide can have a range of side effects[26], including gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue.

There are some concerns that semaglutide could reduce muscle mass[27] and bone density[28], though we’re still learning more about this.

Further, it can be difficult to access.

I have knee osteoarthritis, what should I do?

Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by multiple factors, and it’s important to take a multifaceted approach[29] to managing it. Weight loss is an important component for those who are overweight or obese, but so are other aspects of self-management[30]. This might include physical activity, pacing strategies, and other positive lifestyle changes such as improving sleep, healthy eating, and so on.

References

  1. ^ originally developed (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ weight loss (www.nejm.org)
  3. ^ for this purpose (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ heart failure (www.nejm.org)
  5. ^ chronic kidney disease (www.nejm.org)
  6. ^ New England Journal of Medicine (www.nejm.org)
  7. ^ 2.1 million Australians (www.aihw.gov.au)
  8. ^ have pain (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ the joint most commonly affected (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ major risk factor (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  11. ^ is complex (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  12. ^ metabolic factors (www.nature.com)
  13. ^ development of osteoarthritis (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  14. ^ International (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  15. ^ Australian guidelines (www.safetyandquality.gov.au)
  16. ^ One study (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  17. ^ recent study (www.nejm.org)
  18. ^ SKT Studio/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  19. ^ recent study (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  20. ^ anti-inflammatories (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  21. ^ opioids (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  22. ^ antidepressants (www.bmj.com)
  23. ^ anti-inflammatory (www.sciencedirect.com)
  24. ^ cartilage wear and tear (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  25. ^ are prescribed opioids (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  26. ^ side effects (theconversation.com)
  27. ^ muscle mass (www.sciencealert.com)
  28. ^ bone density (www.healthline.com)
  29. ^ a multifaceted approach (www.safetyandquality.gov.au)
  30. ^ self-management (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/new-study-suggests-weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-could-help-with-knee-pain-heres-why-there-may-be-a-link-243159

The Times Features

Fast, Fun, And Fantastic Looking Gel Polish For Your Nails!

Today's women spend a lot of time and money on their beauty and fashion regime because they love looking their very best! Looking good makes you feel good, and let's face it, it...

Energy-Efficient Roof Restoration Trends to Watch in Sydney

As climate consciousness rises and energy costs soar, energy-efficient roof restoration has become a significant focus in Sydney. Whether you're renovating an old roof or enhan...

Brisbane Water Bill Savings: Practical Tips to Reduce Costs

Brisbane residents have been feeling the pinch as water costs continue to climb. With increasing prices, it's no wonder many households are searching for ways to ease the burde...

Exploring Hybrid Heating Systems for Modern Homes

Consequently, energy efficiency as well as sustainability are two major considerations prevalent in the current market for homeowners and businesses alike. Hence, integrated heat...

Are Dental Implants Right for You? Here’s What to Think About

Dental implants are now among the top solutions for those seeking to replace and improve their teeth. But are dental implants suitable for you? Here you will find out more about ...

Sunglasses don’t just look good – they’re good for you too. Here’s how to choose the right pair

Australians are exposed to some of the highest levels[1] of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. While we tend to focus on avoiding UV damage to our skin, it’s impor...

Times Magazine

Floor Mats are Essential Accessories for Your Mitsubishi Lancer

Research Different Floor Mat Options for the Mitsubishi Lancer                      When you’re looking for the perfect floor mats to protect your Mitsubishi Lancer, you’ll want to be sure that you research all of your options. Whether it’s for...

Motorhome Repair Advice All Owners Can Benefit From

When a motorhome owner has specialised knowledge that enhances their travelling experience, their confidence grows. One of these abilities is auto repair. The ability to do so stems from the knowledge that not all issues with motorhomes require the...

Take The Plunge, Elevate Your Personal Health: P3 Recovery Opens In Port Melbourne

World leaders in wet and dry therapy make wellbeing even more accessible for Melbournians  Ice baths, infrared saunas, IV therapy, breathwork. Just some of the latest wellness therapies that happen to be housed inside P3 Recovery centres emergin...

Can and Should I Register my Trade Mark in Australia?

Yes, you can register your logo as a trademark in Australia. Trademark registration is an important step for any business to protect their brand and prevent others from using similar marks that may cause confusion in the market.  This article will...

Why Do Dogs Tear Up Their Beds? – Pets Best

Owning a dog brings immense joy and companionship, but it also comes with certain challenges such as dealing with destructive behavior, such as the tearing up of their beds. This predicament can be confusing and exasperating for pet owners. The f...

Try these second most famous spirits

When it comes to renowned spirits from around the world, certain names immediately spring to mind. Tequila from Mexico, scotch from Scotland, sake from Japan and schnapps from Germany are among the most well-known.  However, beyond these interna...

LayBy Shopping