Research

Energy balance

Significant weight loss (approx. 15% body weight) via once-weekly subcutaneous injections (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) or bariatric surgery is an achievable and effective option for reducing CVD risk and improving glycemia in patients with RA or PsA, although evidence for disease activity improvement is mixed.

For RA/PsA patients with obesity, significant weight loss (~15%) via weekly GLP-1/GIP injections or bariatric surgery can improve glycemia and reduce CVD risk. However, evidence that this weight loss improves joint disease activity is mixed. Discuss these options with your doctor, considering cost and access.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
new and emerging therapies have been shown to result in significant weight loss of around 15% body weight, that is sustained with once a week subcutaneous injections... bariatric surgery is often linked to significant and sustained weight loss and improvement in glycemia.
Milan K. Piya · International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases · 2021

Why this rating

Based on studies in non-RA/PsA populations for efficacy, and mixed/limited studies specifically in RA/PsA for disease activity.

Source

Metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis: Managing cardiovascular risk

Milan K. Piya · International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases · 2021

DOI 10.1111/1756-185x.14197

narrative_reviewCited 13×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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