Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce the incidence of knee surgeries and slow cartilage loss in patients with knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes, as demonstrated in real-world observational cohorts.
For patients with knee OA and diabetes, using GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide or semaglutide is associated with a lower risk of needing knee surgery and slower loss of knee cartilage compared to not using these drugs. This suggests they may help preserve joint structure over time.
The 233 users of GLP- 1 RAs (liraglutide and semaglutide) experienced a larger weight loss compared with the 1574 non- users and showed a significantly lower incidence of knee surgeries. Additionally, in a subcohort of patients with serial MRI scans, the cartilage loss rate in the medial femorotibial joint was significantly reduced in those treated with GLP- 1 RAs after adjusting for baseline characteristics.
Why this rating
Based on a large observational cohort (Shanghai Osteoarthritis Cohort); not a randomized trial, so confounding factors exist despite adjustments.
Source
If the evidence is there, why are GLP-1 receptor agonists not on-label for hip and knee osteoarthritis in overweight patients?
Francesco Ursini et al. · RMD Open · 2025
DOI 10.1136/rmdopen-2025-006025
More from this paper
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) significantly improve pain and function in patients with obesity and moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis, achieving clinical benefits comparable to or exceeding standard therapies like NSAIDs and physical therapy.Good
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (specifically liraglutide) exert direct anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects in osteoarthritis by suppressing NF-κB activation, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), and downregulating cartilage-degrading enzymes (MMPs, ADAMTS), while promoting type II collagen synthesis.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
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