A newer class of medications best known for treating diabetes and supporting weight loss may also help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a recent study. Participants diagnosed with RA and either overweight or obesity who took glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs saw improvements in weight, pain, inflammation, and overall RA disease activity. The study also noted better cardiovascular (heart) health.

These findings are important for people with RA, especially those who also have a higher BMI. About two-thirds of people with RA are overweight or have obesity — a rate similar to that of the general population. Carrying extra body fat can fuel inflammation and make RA harder to control. Treatments that address both weight-related inflammation and joint symptoms could offer a meaningful new approach to care.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs act like a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide 1. This hormone helps regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. Common GLP-1 drugs include semaglutide (sold as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (such as Mounjaro and Zepbound). Unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist — it mimics not just GLP-1 but also a hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide.

GLP-1 drugs are approved to treat type 2 diabetes, support weight loss, and reduce cardiovascular risk. They’re meant to be used along with a nutritious diet and regular physical activity.

Currently, no GLP-1 drugs are approved to treat RA. However, researchers are increasingly interested in whether these drugs may also reduce inflammation. Early laboratory and clinical studies suggest that GLP-1 drugs may lower levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines — the same proteins that drive joint inflammation in RA.

Inside the Study

The study looked at the effects of GLP-1 drugs in people who had rheumatoid arthritis and a body mass index (BMI) in either the overweight or obese range (27 or higher). Of the participants, 173 received a GLP-1 drug (either semaglutide or tirzepatide), while 42 — the comparison group — did not. Over a period of up to one year, those taking a GLP-1 drug experienced:

• Greater reductions in RA disease activity
• Less joint pain
• More weight loss
• Improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which are key markers of cardiovascular risk

In the GLP-1 group, researchers also saw significant drops in inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Notably, the improvements in pain and inflammation weren’t strongly linked to how much weight someone lost. This suggests that GLP-1 drugs may help reduce inflammation through pathways other than just weight loss.

Why Some People Stopped Treatment

About one-third of people in the GLP-1 group stopped taking the medication. The most common reasons were gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea or stomach upset, and insurance or cost barriers. These challenges are important to consider when thinking about how GLP-1 drugs might fit into real-world care.

Why This Matters for People Living With RA

If you’re living with RA and have overweight or obesity, this study adds to growing evidence that managing weight-related inflammation may help improve RA symptoms.

For people already prescribed GLP-1 drugs for diabetes or weight management, these medications may offer added benefits, such as less joint pain, lower inflammation, and better heart health. Treatment decisions should always be made with a healthcare provider who understands your full health picture.

Although GLP-1 drugs aren’t currently approved to treat RA, this study raises important questions for future research. If these medications reduce RA inflammation in ways that aren’t tied to weight loss, they could eventually become an add-on approach for people with RA and a higher body weight.

Researchers emphasize that more studies, including randomized clinical trials, are needed before GLP-1 drugs could be recommended specifically for RA.

If you’re curious about how weight, inflammation, and RA treatments may be connected — or whether a medication you already take could affect your RA — talk with your rheumatology or primary care team.

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Have you been prescribed a GLP-1 drug for a condition such as obesity or diabetes? Let others know in the comments below.