A modeling study indicates that tirzepatide is more cost-effective than semaglutide for treating knee osteoarthritis in obese patients. The analysis found tirzepatide improved quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) by nearly one compared to diet and exercise, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $57,400 per QALY. Additionally, surgical options like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass offer better health outcomes at lower costs than glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Key findings suggest individualized treatment plans could optimize resource allocation, particularly for patients not considering bariatric surgery.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine