A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine avers that a semaglutide weight management drug, Wegovy by Novo Nordisk, can help relieve knee pains experienced by osteoarthritic and overweight patients. This study turns attention to a new aspect of therapeutic semaglutide also present in Wegovy for the first time.
The 68-week research study was designed to enroll about 400 mainly females aged an average of 56 years. All patients enrolled in the study have knee osteoarthritis, which is a form of arthritis affecting approximately 33 million people in the US. This leads to gradual destruction of the normal cartilage and the underlying bone within the joints, and is the most prevalent form of arthritic diseases, especially among individuals aged forty-five years and above. There are several risk factors related to the incidence of osteoarthritis, but none of them is as significant as obesity, given that the morbidity rate for obesity is up to four times that of non-obese sufferers. This research was supported by Novo Nordisk to evaluate the effect of Wegovy in knee pain in girth and in weight loss. Two groups were made, the first one was injected with semaglutide weekly while the second group was injected with a placebo. In addition, both groups were intensively counseled on diet and exercise to enable them comply with the prescribed reduction calorie intake and increase physical exercise levels. At the end of the trial, those who were administered semaglutide so weight loss averaging thirty-three pounds was realized which amounted to almost fourteen percent of their body weight in comparison to 3% in the placebo group.
Weight loss and improvement of pain were achieved to a remarkable degree. A significant 42-point reduction in knee pain index was reported in patients administered semaglutide whereby the mean knee pain index dropped from 70.9 to 28.9. In the other hand, the mean pain index within the placebo group reduced only by 27.5 points. The results imply that semaglutide in conjunction with lifestyle changes provides a viable obesity related treatment option for osteoarthritis without the need for surgery.
Dr. Henning Bliddal, who directs The Parker Institute and assures the thoroughness of this study, has pointed out the difficulties that come with the management of knee osteoarthritis among the obese. He mentioned that while weight loss is important, it is however difficult to achieve and maintain over a long period of time. In his words, Bliddal expressed concern that there exists a pressing need for non-invasive & effective solutions to manage obesity associated osteoarthritis.’
Tightening up these sections or adding additional context would help to speak to the external validity of the study and the cost-effective nature of Wegovy for knee osteoarthritis. Yet, given the outcomes are rather optimistic but it is unknown yet if semaglutide will have the same effect for described population with lower body mass index (BMI). Additional studies will be required to validate these conclusions providing data for larger populations and understand the range of Wegovy dosage for osteoarthritis therapy.
