Gastrointestinal endoscopyMay 17, 2024

How diabetes drugs affect stomach lining visibility and leftover stomach contents during endoscopy

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 25, 2026

Abstract

GLP-1RA users had a 2.42 times higher likelihood of lower gastric mucosal visibility scores during endoscopy.

A total of 168 individuals were analyzed in a matched case-control study.
Users of GLP-1 receptor agonists showed significantly lower visibility scores compared to nonusers.
The incidence of retained gastric contents was higher in GLP-1RA users at 13.1% versus 4.8% in nonusers.
GLP-1RA users had an adjusted odds ratio of 4.62 for experiencing retained gastric contents.
Procedures were more likely to be aborted in GLP-1RA users due to retained contents.
No anesthesia-related adverse events were reported in either group.

Simplified

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly used in diabetes and obesity management. Although GLP-1RAs delay gastric emptying, their impact on visibility during EGD remains uncertain.

METHODS: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted. Individuals undergoing EGD who were taking GLP-1RAs were matched to nonusers based on demographic characteristics and diabetes status. A validated scale (POLPREP) was used to determine gastric mucosal visibility scores.

RESULTS: A total of 84 pairs (N = 168) were included. GLP-1RA users had significantly lower visibility scores, with a 2.42 times higher likelihood of lower scores compared with nonusers. In addition, GLP-1RA users had a higher incidence of retained gastric contents (13.1% vs 4.8%; adjusted odds ratio, 4.62; P = .025) and aborted procedures due to this issue. No anesthesia-related adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1RA use at the time of endoscopy exhibited higher odds of lower gastric mucosal visibility scores, retained contents, and aborted procedures. Further research is warranted.

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Competing interests

Disclosure The following authors disclosed financial relationships: K. R. Kyanam Kabir Baig: consultant for Ambu. A. M. Ahmed: consultant for Pentax Medical. S. Peter: Consultant for Olympus and Pentax Medical. S. A. Sanchez-Luna: research grant from Fujifilm. All of the other authors disclosed no financial relationships.

PubMed

How diabetes drugs affect stomach lining visibility and leftover stomach contents during endoscopy

Abstract

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Competing interests

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