The Cost-Effectiveness of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis and Obesity
Authors' conclusion
Both tirzepatide and semaglutide would be widely considered cost-effective when compared directly with usual care. Tirzepatide would offer the most favorable return on investment to decision makers whose cost-effectiveness thresholds exceed $57 400 per QALY.
Study context
- Population
- Persons with knee OA and obesity in the United States; base-case cohort WOMAC pain 71 (0 to 100, 100 worst), mean body mass index (BMI) 40 kg/m²simulated cohort
- Comparison
- Semaglutide, tirzepatide, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), RYGB, and diet and exercise
- Outcome
- Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), cost, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs)
- Follow-up
- Lifetime
Methodological detailsmicrosimulation model, Osteoarthritis Policy Model, validated microsimulation model of knee OA, lifetime horizon, health care and societal perspectives, Data from multiple sources (limitation)
- Microsimulation model
- Osteoarthritis Policy Model, validated microsimulation model of knee OA
- Lifetime horizon
- Health care and societal perspectives
- Data from multiple sources (limitation)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
ICER (base case)
ICER
$57 400 per QALY
Tirzepatide vs Diet and exercise
ICER
$30 700 per QALY
RYGB vs LSG · for those eligible
Further findings
Probability of being cost-effective at a $100 000 per QALY threshold (sensitivity analysis)
Probability of being cost-effective at a $100 000 per QALY threshold (sensitivity analysis)
- Tirzepatide's ICER most sensitive to medication costs, treatment efficacy, and cohort baseline BMI
Original publication
The Cost-Effectiveness of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis and Obesity. Ann Intern Med. Published 16 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →