New study shows once-weekly semaglutide significantly reduces knee osteoarthritis pain
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed promising results for individuals living with obesity and knee osteoarthritis.
Conducted by the STEP 9 Study Group, this 68-week, double-blind, randomised trial examined the effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide injections, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, in reducing body weight and alleviating knee pain.
The research involved 407 participants from 61 sites across 11 countries, all of whom had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and experienced moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a weekly dose of 2.4 mg semaglutide or a placebo, alongside guidance on physical activity and a calorie-reduced diet.
Findings from the study were striking. The group receiving semaglutide experienced an average weight loss of 13.7 per cent from baseline, compared to just 3.2 per cent in the placebo group. Additionally, the reduction in knee pain, measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score, was significantly greater for those on semaglutide: a 41.7-point decrease versus a 27.5-point reduction in the placebo group.
Improvements were also observed in physical function, with semaglutide recipients reporting a 12-point increase on the SF-36 physical-function scale, compared to a 6.5-point improvement in the placebo group.
The incidence of serious adverse events was comparable between both groups, though a higher percentage of participants in the semaglutide group, 6.7 per cent, discontinued the trial due to adverse effects, primarily gastrointestinal issues, compared to 3.0 per cent in the placebo group.
Overall, the study concludes that semaglutide not only leads to substantial weight loss but also provides significant relief from knee osteoarthritis pain, offering a promising new treatment approach for individuals affected by both conditions.