GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Aid Weight Loss Without Worsening IBD, suggests study

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2025-12-29T10:00:27+05:30 | Updated On 29 Dec 2025 10:47 AM IST

A meta-analysis of 10,362 patients with inflammatory bowel disease has found that GLP-1 receptor agonists are safe and effective for weight loss, producing a 6.67% reduction in total body weight and a 2.48 kg/m² drop in BMI, without increasing inflammatory bowel disease activity.

Obesity is increasingly recognized as a common comorbidity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are widely used for weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk management. However, their safety and effectiveness in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease remain uncertain. They conducted a systematic review through June 2025 to identify studies involving adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with GLP-1RAs. Primary outcomes included hospitalization, corticosteroid use, treatment escalation, risk of flare, and inflammatory bowel disease-related surgery. Secondary outcomes were changes in weight and body mass index (BMI).

Results: A total of 10 observational studies, comprising 10,362 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (3,479 receiving GLP-1 RAs and 6,883 receiving placebo or other anti-obesity medications), were included. The pooled incidences of hospitalization, corticosteroid use, treatment escalation, flare, and surgery among patients receiving GLP-1RAs were 11%, 11%, 8%, 14%, and 3%, respectively. Use of GLP-1RAs in inflammatory bowel disease patients was not associated with an increased risk of corticosteroid use (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.17–5.16; I2 = 11.4%), treatment escalation (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.06–7.62; I2 = 0%), or inflammatory bowel disease-related surgery (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.00–313.88; I2 = 92.5%) compared to non–GLP-1 users. Patients treated with GLP-1RAs achieved a percentage total body weight loss of 6.67% (95% CI: 2.93%–10.40%; I2 = 0%), a mean absolute weight loss of 7.33 kg (95% CI: 6.03–8.63; I2 = 0%) and a BMI reduction of 2.48 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.79–4.17; I2 = 0%) compared to baseline.

GLP-1 receptor agonists appear to be safe and effective in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Reference:

Noppachai Siranart, Pannathorn Nakaphan, Patavee Pajareya, Khamik Laohasurayotin, Can GLP-1 Agonists Be Used Safely in IBD? A Meta-Analysis, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 2025;, jjaf193, https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaf193

Keywords:

GLP-1 receptor, agonists, appear safe, effective, patients, IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, Obesity, Corticosteroids, Hospitalization, obesity, adrenal corticosteroids, inflammatory, bowel, disease, glucocorticoids, mineral, cocorticoids, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists

GLP-1 receptoragonistsappear safeeffectivepatientsIBDInflammatory Bowel DiseaseGLP-1 Receptor AgonistsObesityCorticosteroidsHospitalizationobesityadrenal corticosteroidsinflammatoryboweldiseaseglucocorticoidsmineralcocorticoidsglucagon-like peptide-1 agonists

Source : Journal of Crohn's and Colitis

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.