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2026… The year of the GLP-1 Agonist?

Video Summary

In this video, Jack, The Rheumatology Physio, discusses the rapidly growing interest in GLP-1 agonists (such as Ozempic) and their potential role in rheumatology and inflammatory arthritis. I reflect on the increasing public and clinical attention these medications are receiving, particularly as many people report improvements in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions alongside significant weight loss.

GLP-1 agonists mimic the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate blood sugar, suppress appetite, and promote weight loss. The key rheumatology question, however, is why some people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis are reporting symptom improvements while taking them.

There are two likely mechanisms. First, excess abdominal fat is immunologically active and raises the body’s baseline level of inflammation, which worsens arthritis symptoms and disease activity. By reducing this fat, GLP-1 drugs may lower systemic inflammation, creating an anti-inflammatory shift. Second, emerging evidence suggests these drugs may also directly interact with inflammatory and immune pathways involved in autoimmune disease — meaning their benefits may go beyond weight loss alone.

However, at present, GLP-1 agonists are not formally prescribed specifically to treat arthritis. They are currently used for weight management, with any improvement in arthritis considered a secondary benefit. His practical advice is for people with inflammatory arthritis and excess body fat to discuss GLP-1 therapy with their GP or rheumatologist as part of a broader medical plan. He predicts that dedicated rheumatology use of GLP-1 drugs is likely to arrive in the near future as evidence grows.

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