Lifestyle
Easing Knee Pain and Boosting Mobility for Arthritis Sufferers
As osteoarthritis continues to affect millions worldwide, particularly those over 30, finding effective treatments remains a priority. This degenerative joint disease, characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and subsequent pain, stiffness, and swelling, is exacerbated by factors like aging and obesity. While various treatments exist, a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine highlights a promising alternative: semaglutide, known by its brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. This medication, originally used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may offer significant relief for knee osteoarthritis sufferers.
Significant Pain Reduction with Semaglutide
The STEP 9 trial, conducted by Novo Nordisk, involved 407 adults with obesity and moderate knee osteoarthritis. Participants were administered either a 2.4-mg weekly dose of semaglutide or a placebo over 68 weeks.
At the outset, their average knee pain score was 70.9 out of 100 on the WOMAC index.
After 68 weeks, those who took semaglutide experienced an average reduction of 41.7 points in their pain score, compared to a 27.5-point reduction in the placebo group. “They were really in pain. They can’t exercise. You are trapped in knees like this,” explained Dr. Henning Bliddal, the study’s lead author.
Exceeding Expectations in Pain Relief
The pain reduction observed with semaglutide was notably higher than with other treatments, aside from surgery. Dr. Bliddal noted, “To be frank, this is what we had hoped for. But it even exceeded our expectations.”
Dr. David T. Felson, a rheumatologist at Boston Medical Center, also emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that the reduction was more substantial than typically seen with other non-surgical treatments.
Weight Loss as a Key Factor
In addition to pain relief, semaglutide contributed to weight loss in participants, with a 13.7 percent reduction in body weight compared to just 3.2 percent in the placebo group.
This weight loss is crucial, as Dr. Bliddal pointed out that obesity increases the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis fourfold.
Improved Physical Function
Participants who received semaglutide also showed greater improvements in physical function scores compared to those who took the placebo. This enhancement in mobility is vital for managing daily activities and improving quality of life.
Anna Windle, PhD, from Novo Nordisk, highlighted the importance of these results, stating, “The STEP 9 results are encouraging and provide important information about the effect of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on knee osteoarthritis outcomes in people with obesity.”
A Promising Option for Osteoarthritis Patients
The study’s findings suggest that semaglutide could be a valuable option for those struggling with knee osteoarthritis and obesity. As weight loss can be challenging, a treatment that addresses both pain and weight could significantly benefit patients.
These promising results pave the way for further discussions with regulatory authorities to explore semaglutide’s potential in osteoarthritis treatment.
With osteoarthritis affecting so many individuals, the prospect of a new treatment that reduces pain and aids in weight loss offers hope. Semaglutide’s impressive results in the STEP 9 trial suggest it could become a valuable tool in managing this debilitating condition, bringing relief to countless sufferers.
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