Using Ozempic Could Reduce Your Risk of Developing Osteoarthritis
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Key Takeaways
New open access research shows that people with obesity who use semaglutide could significantly reduce their risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Semaglutide is the drug that makes up both Ozempic and Wegovy.
Experts say that more research is needed in order to identify the underlying cause of this risk reduction.
New research suggests people with obesity who take semaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, have a 16% lower rate of developing osteoarthritis.
This potential new indication joins a growing list of conditions that can be treated by the class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which were initially designed to treat type 2 diabetes and later expanded to weight management. Wegovy is approved to reduce the risk of heart disease in people with obesity or overweight. And a similar drug called Zepbound (tirzepatide) is being researched for its benefits for sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and more.
“This gives the medical community another important piece of data to support the multi-organ system positive effects that we’re seeing with these GLP-1 receptor agonists,” Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, chair of internal medicine at Texas Christian University’s Burnett School of Medicine, told Verywell. “We already know that this drug has potentially very positive and beneficial effects for cardiovascular health. We know it has an impact on the underlying disease state of diabetes. But now there’s another piece of evidence in a completely disparate, unrelated organ system, showing that it has a benefit for joints too.”
Related: New Analysis Confirms Wegovy Can Sustain Weight Loss for 4 Years and Support Heart Health
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, refers to the breakdown of joint tissue. Over time, it can damage cartilage, tendons, bones, and more. It’s most common in people over 50, and the average age of semaglutide users in the study was 71.
The pain and stiffness in joints affected by osteoarthritis often cause patients to stop moving. Sathyamoorthy, who is a cardiologist, says that lack of activity is the biggest reason osteoarthritis can negatively impact a person’s cardiovascular and overall health.
“The less osteoarthritis and the fewer mobility issues that a patient suffers from, the more likely they are to be able to participate in structured and programmatic exercises,” Sathyamoorthy said, “And if a patient can participate in that type of activity, we know, as a statement of scientific fact, their cardiovascular disease burden is going to go down.”
The retrospective cohort study pulled data from Kythera Medicare, a common database used in this form of research. It did not look at the mechanism of action or the underlying reasons why this reduction in osteoarthritis may be happening among people taking Ozempic or Wegovy.
A joint health benefit would be a boon to GLP-1s, since the loss of muscle mass associated with rapid weight loss is dangerous, especially for older adults.
“When somebody loses a ton of weight, some portion of that is muscle mass,” physical therapist Stephen Clark, DPT, the clinical innovations director for physical and occupational therapy organization Confluent Health, told Verywell. “As a result of that muscle mass loss, people may lose the ability to get out of a chair. They may be at risk of falling. They may even lose bone mass. Ultimately, they’re at risk of higher rates of fracture.”
What This Means For You
Right now, the use of semaglutide to prevent or treat osteoarthritis would be off-label. This new study hints at the possibility that the medication could create a significant change in the rate of osteoarthritis in people with obesity.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
