How weight changes impact knee osteoarthritis in overweight individuals
Official title: Understanding the mechanisms by which weight change affects progression of knee osteoarthritis in obese and overweight individuals: An analysis of the Osteoarthritis Initiative Dataset
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10809722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how losing or gaining weight might change how knee osteoarthritis gets worse in people who are overweight or obese, with the hope of finding ways to help keep their knees healthier for longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $674,088 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR078917-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10809722 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are obese or overweight individuals who are experiencing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or do not have knee osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in body weight affect the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in obese and overweight individuals. By analyzing data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, the study aims to understand the underlying mechanisms, such as inflammation and body composition changes, that contribute to OA progression. The goal is to identify specific factors that can help slow down the deterioration of knee joints, potentially leading to more effective treatment strategies for those affected by OA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted therapies that effectively slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that weight loss can slow the progression of osteoarthritis, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Link, Thomas M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Link, Thomas M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How weight change affects knee osteoarthritis in people who are overweight or obese
This project looks at how losing or gaining weight affects knee arthritis in adults who are overweight or obese.
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From knee to brain: a whole-body look at inflammation in knee osteoarthritis
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.