Frequency of GLP-1 receptor agonists use in diabetic patients diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying and their demographic profile. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kalas, M Ammar; Dang, The Q; Galura, Gian; Alvarado, Luis; Dwivedi, Alok Kumar; Deoker, Abhizith; McCallum, Richard
• Is Part Of: Journal of investigative medicine. Volume 71:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: diabetes complications -- abdominal pain -- gastrointestinal contents -- digestive system; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Medicine; Research -- United States; Clinical medicine; Medicine -- Research; Periodicals; 616.075
• DOI: 10.1136/jim-2022-002480
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-5589

Abstract

Advances in the management of diabetes mellitus have come a long way in the 21st century. One of the most important developments in diabetes management has been the discovery of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The most common side effects of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are nausea and vomiting which have been attributed to delayed gastric emptying. While the effects of GLP-1R agonists on gastric emptying have prompted further research in this field, there are limited studies evaluating their effects on patients with pre-existing gastroparesis. Additionally, the frequency of GLP-1R agonist use among patients with gastroparesis has not been assessed in the past and this study aims to identify that percentage along with evaluating for possible iatrogenic gastroparesis. A retrospective review of all the gastric emptying studies performed at one academic medical center between January 2019 and January 2021 was performed. We found that although patients on GLP-1R agonists were more likely to have delayed gastric emptying, we could not establish a statistical significance. This could be due to the small sample size in the study. However, GLP-1R agonists use was associated with delayed gastric emptying in patients with diabetes for <10 years. Moreover, a significant proportion (24%) of patients with diabetes with delayed gastric emptying were on a GLP-1R agonist. Recently, semaglutide (GLP-1R agonist) gained Food and Drug Administration approval as a weight loss medication in both patients with and without diabetes. This should prompt further research to evaluate the safety profile of these medications in patients with and without pre-existing gastroparesis.