Rajiv Bhuta, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, commented on Mar. 20 regarding a new study that examined the risks associated with continuing GLP-1 therapy before elective upper endoscopy. The study found that patients who continued GLP-1 therapy prior to the procedure had an increased risk for significant residual gastric volume.
This topic is important because understanding how medications like GLP-1 affect pre-procedure safety can help guide clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes during elective upper endoscopies.
The research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, also indicated that consuming clear liquids the day before the procedure appeared to reduce this risk. Bhuta provided his perspective to Medscape but was not involved in conducting the study.
The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about best practices for managing patients on GLP-1 therapy who are scheduled for elective procedures requiring an empty stomach.
As more patients use GLP-1 therapies, further research may help refine guidelines and ensure safer outcomes for those undergoing endoscopic procedures.
