Evidence mapPaperPMID 42101387Full record

ArticleACR open rheumatology2026

Use of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: Insights on Initiation Patterns and Weight Loss From the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness Registry.

Nicholas P McCormick, Cristiano S Moura, Jingyi Zhang, Emily E Holladay, Fenglong Xie, Tapan Mehta, Joshua F Baker, Jeffrey R Curtis

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in ACR open rheumatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nicholas P McCormickDepartment of Health Outcomes Research and Policy, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn, Alabama.
Cristiano S MouraFoundation for Advancing Science, Technology, Education, and Research, Birmingham, Alabama.
Jingyi ZhangFoundation for Advancing Science, Technology, Education, and Research, Birmingham, Alabama.
Emily E HolladayFoundation for Advancing Science, Technology, Education, and Research, Birmingham, Alabama.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1811-6602
Fenglong XieFoundation for Advancing Science, Technology, Education, and Research, Birmingham, Alabama.
Tapan MehtaDivision of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine.
Joshua F BakerDepartment of Medicine, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0799-7563
Jeffrey R CurtisFoundation for Advancing Science, Technology, Education, and Research, Birmingham, Alabama.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8907-8976

Funding

NIAMS NIH HHS P30-AR-072583
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) such as semaglutide (SEM) and tirzepatide (TZP) were initially approved for type 2 diabetes management but are increasingly used for weight loss. Limited data exist on real-world use among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). This study aimed to describe characteristics and trends in SEM and TZP initiation among individuals with RMDs and to identify factors associated with weight loss.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis using the American College of Rheumatology's Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness registry. Adults with RMD prescribed SEM or TZP between 2018 and 2024 were included. Patients with an evaluation and management visit before first GLP-1 RA prescription were classified as new users. The primary outcome was percent change in body weight from baseline to 12 months. Multivariable linear regression assessed factors associated with percent weight change, and logistic models identified predictors of ≥5%, ≥10%, and ≥15% weight loss.

resultsAmong 60,198 patients with RMD treated with GLP-1 RAs (72% SEM), 80.5% were female, and 54.9% had diabetes; the mean age was 57.0 years, and body mass index was 36.4. GLP-1 RA use increased from 0.1% in 2018 to 6.8% in 2024. At 12 months, SEM and TZP users lost 5.8% and 8.2% of body weight, respectively. TZP users lost 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-2.5) more weight than SEM users, and those without diabetes lost 1.8% (95% CI 1.5-2.1) more than those with diabetes.

conclusionGLP-1 RA use is increasing among patients with RMD and is associated with clinically meaningful weight loss, particularly with TZP and in individuals without diabetes.

Identifiers

PMID42101387
PMCPMC13155138

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.