Emerging Research Highlights Potential of Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs to Ease Arthritis Symptoms and Improve Heart and Kidney Health
Vancouver (October 15, 2025) – A review recently published in the prestigious journal, The Nature Reviews from Arthritis Research Canada examines how an increasingly used type of diabetes and weight-loss medication could offer additional benefits to people living with arthritis.
The review, led by rheumatologist and Arthritis Research Canada trainee Dr. Derin Karacabeyli, along with supervisor and Scientific Director Dr. Diane Lacaille, summarizes the research that has been done so far on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications in arthritis, examining if these medications (including semaglutide [Ozempic]), when prescribed for diabetes or weight loss, might benefit arthritis symptoms, prevent arthritis from developing, or reduce complications associated with arthritis
“Obesity increases the risk of developing many forms of arthritis, and people with obesity tend to experience more severe and difficult-to-treat arthritis,” said Dr. Karacabeyli. “Since these medications help with weight loss, reduce inflammation, improve heart and kidney health, and prolong life, they may be beneficial for some people with arthritis, such as those living with diabetes or extra body fat.”
The review identified laboratory studies (in cells and mice) that suggested that GLP-1 medications reduce inflammation and protect joint cartilage. The review also discussed clinical studies exploring how these effects translate into clinical benefits when studied in humans, highlighting that many questions remain unanswered.
A large clinical trial showed that semaglutide can improve pain and function in people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity, and other studies suggest that GLP-1 medications may reduce the need for surgery to treat knee osteoarthritis.
“These medications show great promise, but more research is needed,” Dr. Karacabeyli said. “In the appropriate clinical context, they are a tool that clinicians can use to address multiple challenges faced by people living with arthritis and obesity.”
“Their effects on the risk of developing different types of arthritis, on inflammatory arthritis disease activity, and on arthritis progression are still unclear, so we have work to do as a scientific community.”
GLP-1 medications, which were originally developed for diabetes, could also help people with arthritis and obesity by improving pain, mobility, and overall health. While more research is needed, findings could open the door to treatment options that benefit multiple health challenges faced by people living with arthritis and obesity.
Read the full study here.
