New Research at ACR Convergence 2025 Highlights Potential of GLP-1 Therapies in Rheumatic Disease Management

CHICAGO – Emerging research presented at ACR Convergence 2025 conference suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists—widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity—may also play a promising role in the management of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and osteoarthritis (OA).

Key Findings

• RA and Reduced Flares (Abstract #2128553): RA patients on DMARDs who also received SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 agonists had fewer disease flares, pointing to potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• Semaglutide in RA (Abstract #2107645): Use of semaglutide was associated with improved joint outcomes, raising the possibility of a disease-modifying effect.
• GLP-1 in Osteoarthritis (Abstract #2118925): Compared to SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs delivered greater improvements in pain and physical function in OA patients.
• Prevention of Autoimmune Disease (Abstract #2128560): A large multi-center TriNetX study found GLP-1 RA use was linked to lower risk of developing immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
• Psoriatic Arthritis Benefits (Abstract #2125555): GLP-1 therapy was associated with symptom improvement in PsA while also enhancing metabolic parameters.

Diet and Disease Links

• Diet and RA Risk (Abstract #2115865): A systematic review showed that healthy dietary patterns reduce the risk of developing RA.
• Dietary Interventions in PsA (Abstract #2125527): A randomized trial demonstrated that targeted diet changes improved disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

“These findings highlight a growing recognition of the intersection between metabolic health and rheumatic disease,” said Shreya Sakthivel, Chief Resident, Internal Medicine, Anne Arundel Medical Center and principal investigator for the study, Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Agonists on RA Flares in Patients on DMARD Therapy: A Retrospective Study. “GLP-1 therapies, in particular, are emerging as dual-action agents that not only improve cardiometabolic risk factors but may also influence disease activity and long-term outcomes for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.”

Media Contact
Teri Arnold
Director, Public Relations & Communications
tarnold@rheumatology.org
757-272-7002

###

About the American College of Rheumatology
Founded in 1934, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is a not-for-profit, professional association committed to advancing the specialty of rheumatology that serves over 10,000 physicians, health professionals, researchers and scientists worldwide. In doing so, the ACR offers education, research, advocacy and practice management support to help its members continue their innovative work and provide quality patient care. Rheumatology professionals are experts in the diagnosis, management and treatment of more than 100 different types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.

About ACR Convergence
ACR Convergence, the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, is where rheumatology meets to collaborate, celebrate, congregate, and learn. With hundreds of sessions and thousands of abstracts, it offers a superior combination of basic science, clinical science, business education and interactive discussions to improve patient care and advance the specialty. For more information about the meeting, visit the ACR Convergence page, or join the conversation on X by following the official hashtag (#ACR25).