GLP-1 Drugs Don't Increase Aspiration Risk During Endoscopy

Real-world data from an ambulatory endoscopy center found no increased risk of aspiration or retained gastric contents in patients taking GLP-1 drugs.

Robalino Gonzaga, Ernesto et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024·Moderate Evidencecohort
RPEP-09154CohortModerate Evidence2024RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
cohort
Evidence
Moderate Evidence
Sample
Patients undergoing outpatient upper endoscopy at a tertiary hospital center
Participants
Patients undergoing outpatient upper endoscopy at a tertiary hospital center

What This Study Found

GLP-1 receptor agonist use was not associated with increased risk of aspiration or retained gastric contents during outpatient upper endoscopy.

Key Numbers

Records from patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at a hospital-based outpatient center from January onward were reviewed.

How They Did This

Retrospective review of electronic medical records from patients undergoing EGD at a hospital-based outpatient center.

Why This Research Matters

Millions of people take GLP-1 drugs, and many will need endoscopy at some point. This real-world data helps answer practical safety questions about whether patients need to stop their medication before the procedure.

The Bigger Picture

Millions of people on GLP-1 drugs will need endoscopy at some point. Guidelines about whether to hold the medication before procedures have been uncertain. This real-world data provides reassurance for outpatient endoscopy settings.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Retrospective study design limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. The outpatient setting may not reflect higher-risk inpatient populations.

Questions This Raises

  • ?Should patients stop GLP-1 drugs before endoscopy?
  • ?Would higher-risk patients (ICU, emergency endoscopy) show different results?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
No increased aspiration risk Despite delaying gastric emptying, GLP-1 drugs did not increase aspiration events during outpatient upper endoscopy
Evidence Grade:
Rated moderate: real-world retrospective data from a large center, but limited by the observational design and outpatient-only setting.
Study Age:
Published in 2024. Addresses a timely clinical question as GLP-1 drug use expands rapidly.
Original Title:
Real-World Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Endoscopic Patient Outcomes in an Ambulatory Setting: A Retrospective Study at a Large Tertiary Center.
Published In:
Journal of clinical medicine, 13(18) (2024)
Database ID:
RPEP-09154

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / ObservationalSnapshot without intervening
This study
Case Report / Animal Study
What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stop Ozempic before endoscopy?

This study found no increased risk of aspiration in outpatient endoscopy patients taking GLP-1 drugs. Follow your gastroenterologist's specific guidance.

Why were doctors worried about GLP-1 drugs and endoscopy?

GLP-1 drugs slow stomach emptying, raising concerns that food could remain in the stomach during sedated procedures and increase aspiration risk.

Read More on RethinkPeptides

Cite This Study

RPEP-09154·https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-09154

APA

Robalino Gonzaga, Ernesto; Farooq, Aimen; Mohammed, Abdul; Chandan, Saurabh; Fawwaz, Baha; Singh, Gurdeep; Malik, Amna; Zhang, Yiyang; Kadkhodayan, Kambiz. (2024). Real-World Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Endoscopic Patient Outcomes in an Ambulatory Setting: A Retrospective Study at a Large Tertiary Center.. Journal of clinical medicine, 13(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13185403

MLA

Robalino Gonzaga, Ernesto, et al. "Real-World Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Endoscopic Patient Outcomes in an Ambulatory Setting: A Retrospective Study at a Large Tertiary Center.." Journal of clinical medicine, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13185403

RethinkPeptides

RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Real-World Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Endoscopic P..." RPEP-09154. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/robalino-2024-realworld-impact-of-glp1

Access the Original Study

Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.