Study links diabetes drug to reduced arthritis pain in knees

A recent study revealed that the drug Metformin can help individuals who are overweight or obese and suffering from knee arthritis by reducing pain over a six-month treatment period, potentially postponing the need for knee replacement surgery. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlighted the drug’s effectiveness in addressing knee osteoarthritis pain through various pathways, according to senior researcher Flavia Cicuttini, a professor at Monash University in Australia.

Metformin, commonly used to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, was shown to decrease sugar absorption, lower glucose production, and enhance insulin sensitivity. In the study, 107 overweight or obese participants with knee pain were randomly divided into groups receiving either metformin or a placebo. Those taking metformin reported a 31-point reduction in pain compared to a 19-point reduction in the placebo group after six months.

The findings suggest that Metformin could present a new and cost-effective approach to alleviating knee arthritis pain, offering an alternative to conventional treatments like exercise, weight loss, acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, and topical creams that often provide limited relief. By potentially delaying knee replacement surgeries until absolutely necessary, Metformin may help individuals manage their knee pain more effectively and improve their quality of life. Nevertheless, Cicuttini emphasized the need for larger studies to validate the drug’s benefits.

For more information on knee arthritis, you can visit the Cleveland Clinic’s website.