Glp-1 Drugs May Offer Cost-effective Treatment For People With Knee Osteoarthritis And Obesity

A caller study led by investigators astatine Mass General Brigham finds that adding caller weight nonaccomplishment GLP-1 narcotics semaglutide and tirzepatide to accustomed attraction represents a cost-effective curen strategy for group pinch knee osteoarthritis and obesity, pinch tirzepatide providing greater wellness benefits astatine little costs compared to semaglutide. The investigation comes arsenic patients and providers activity to equilibrium nan benefits of weight nonaccomplishment and symptom alleviation against nan disbursal of these caller agents. Results are published successful Annals of Internal Medicine. 

Weight nonaccomplishment tin relieve associated pain, but semaglutide and tirzepatide are costly and astir security plans don't screen weight nonaccomplishment medications. This intends that galore patients can't spend these medications. This is why a general economical study is valuable. It gives payers and policymakers nan information they request to make informed sum decisions and amended entree to these weight nonaccomplishment treatments. Our extremity is to guarantee that payers and policymakers person nan grounds they request to make informed decisions astir coverage."

Elena Losina, PhD, senior author, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital

The study was funded by Arthritis Foundation and National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The investigators utilized OApol, a validated and wide published machine simulation model, to behaviour a cost-effectiveness study comparing nan 2 GLP-1 narcotics arsenic good arsenic 2 different communal weight nonaccomplishment interventions: bariatric room and manner modifications. They recovered that tirzepatide offered somewhat amended worth than semaglutide and would beryllium nan preferred action betwixt nan 2 narcotics for astir patients. For eligible and consenting patients, bariatric surgery, which provides sustained benefits, whitethorn beryllium nan champion action from a objective and economical perspective.

Limitations of this study see its reliance connected information integrated from aggregate sources. In addition, conducting this study required researchers to make assumptions astir nan long of clip patients would stay connected these medications, which whitethorn impact nan findings.

"Osteoarthritis substantially reduces value of life owed to debilitating symptom and constricted mobility. Obesity has been shown to shorten life expectancy," said Losina. "Offering these narcotics to patients pinch knee osteoarthritis and obesity improves some measures."