Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Chronic Low Back Pain in Patients with Obesity: A Prospective Pilot Cohort Study
medRxiv [Preprint]. 2026 May 22:2026.05.20.26353666. doi: 10.64898/2026.05.20.26353666.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are associated with improvements in pain severity, disability, quality of life, and physical function in adults with obesity and chronic low back pain (cLBP), and to explore potential mechanisms.
DESIGN: Prospective, single-arm cohort study.
SUBJECTS: Thirty-five adults (median age 41 years; 86% women) with obesity (median BMI 39.9 kg/m²) and cLBP initiating GLP-1 RAs (tirzepatide, n=24; semaglutide, n=11).
METHODS: Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The primary outcome was Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) pain severity. Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), BPI-SF pain interference, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) back pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Short Form-12 (SF-12). At baseline and 6 months, a subset (n=24) underwent quantitative sensory testing, physical performance testing, and blood draws for inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), adipokines (leptin, adiponectin), and hemoglobin A1c.
RESULTS: Over 12 months, BMI decreased by 12.5% (median 39.9 to 34.9 kg/m², 95% CI [-6.6, -4.2]). BPI-SF pain severity improved (median 4.8 to 2.0, 95% CI [-2.1, -0.8]), as did pain interference, ODI, NRS back pain, and SF-12 physical component scores. Hemoglobin A1c, leptin, and C-reactive protein decreased. Adiponectin increased and physical performance improved, but neither reached significance. Experimental pain sensitivity was unchanged.
CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1 RAs were associated with clinically meaningful improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life. These findings suggest GLP-1 RAs may be a promising nonsurgical therapy for cLBP; randomized controlled trials are needed to establish causality and mechanisms.
PMID:42238413 | PMC:PMC13228689 | DOI:10.64898/2026.05.20.26353666