S517 Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) Significantly Impair Quality Metrics for Colonoscopy Preparations, Even When Held 7 Days Prior to Procedure

Introduction: GLP-1RAs have exploded in popularity, revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes and weight loss. In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended weekly GLP-1RAs be held 7 days prior to sedated procedures over concerns of aspiration risk. More recently, Yao et al. (2024) reported in the AJG that GLP-1RAs negatively impact colonoscopy Boston Bowel Prep Scales, but did not consider the 7 day holding period, as their study, and all subsequent studies to date, have been retrospective, using data collected prior to the ASA recommendation. This is the first prospective analysis of the quality of bowel preparations when GLP-1RAs are held >7 days prior to procedure. Methods: From 260 patients, 237 patients were studied (121 men, 116 women, avg age 64), excluding those deviating from prep instructions, non-consenting, or taking meds impacting motility. Thirty-one patients were taking GLP-1RAs for diabetes or weight loss, with 206 control patients without any history of use. The GLP-1RAs group held injections for >7 days prior to procedure. The endoscopist, blinded, recorded quality metrics, including the Boston Bowel Prep Scale (BBPS), Colon Endoscopic Bubble Scale (CEBuS), cecal intubation time, scope withdrawal time, and the number of repeat procedures from inadequate preps. The data was evaluated with paired t-tests (2 samples/unequal variances) for significance. Results: After holding >7 days, GLP-1RAs recorded significantly lower BBPS (scored 0-9) compared to controls, averaging 6.17 vs 7.77 (P < 0.005). The cecal intubation time (minutes) was significantly greater for GLP-1RAs than controls, 5.77 vs 4.48 (P < 0.005). Scope withdrawal time (minutes) for the GLP-1RAs was significantly greater than for controls, 14.13 vs 12.86 (P < 0.005). 4/31 patients (12.9%) in GLP-1RAs required repeat colonoscopy due to poor prep vs 6/206 patients (2.9%) in controls (P < .005). There was no significant difference in CEBuS scores (scored 0-2) between GLP-1RAs and controls, averaging .41 vs .38 respectively (P > 0.005). Conclusion: Despite being held for 7 days, weekly GLP-1RAs negatively impact bowel prep quality, as evidenced by lower BBPS, increased cecal intubation times, increased scope withdrawal times, and the need for repeat procedures. While other factors contribute to these metrics, bad preps translate into longer cases and missed polyps. Our results suggest that targeting patients on GLP-1RAs with extended bowel preps might mitigate against inadequate colonoscopy exams.

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Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001129528.48929.23
Primary Topic
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
Type
article
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article

S517 Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) Significantly Impair Quality Metrics for Colonoscopy Preparations, Even When Held 7 Days Prior to Procedure

Charles E. McBride, Simon McBride
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
article

S517 Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) Significantly Impair Quality Metrics for Colonoscopy Preparations, Even When Held 7 Days Prior to Procedure

Charles E. McBride, Simon McBride
article en

Abstract

Introduction: GLP-1RAs have exploded in popularity, revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes and weight loss. In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended weekly GLP-1RAs be held 7 days prior to sedated procedures over concerns of aspiration risk. More recently, Yao et al. (2024) reported in the AJG that GLP-1RAs negatively impact colonoscopy Boston Bowel Prep Scales, but did not consider the 7 day holding period, as their study, and all subsequent studies to date, have been retrospective, using data collected prior to the ASA recommendation. This is the first prospective analysis of the quality of bowel preparations when GLP-1RAs are held >7 days prior to procedure. Methods: From 260 patients, 237 patients were studied (121 men, 116 women, avg age 64), excluding those deviating from prep instructions, non-consenting, or taking meds impacting motility. Thirty-one patients were taking GLP-1RAs for diabetes or weight loss, with 206 control patients without any history of use. The GLP-1RAs group held injections for >7 days prior to procedure. The endoscopist, blinded, recorded quality metrics, including the Boston Bowel Prep Scale (BBPS), Colon Endoscopic Bubble Scale (CEBuS), cecal intubation time, scope withdrawal time, and the number of repeat procedures from inadequate preps. The data was evaluated with paired t-tests (2 samples/unequal variances) for significance. Results: After holding >7 days, GLP-1RAs recorded significantly lower BBPS (scored 0-9) compared to controls, averaging 6.17 vs 7.77 (P < 0.005). The cecal intubation time (minutes) was significantly greater for GLP-1RAs than controls, 5.77 vs 4.48 (P < 0.005). Scope withdrawal time (minutes) for the GLP-1RAs was significantly greater than for controls, 14.13 vs 12.86 (P < 0.005). 4/31 patients (12.9%) in GLP-1RAs required repeat colonoscopy due to poor prep vs 6/206 patients (2.9%) in controls (P < .005). There was no significant difference in CEBuS scores (scored 0-2) between GLP-1RAs and controls, averaging .41 vs .38 respectively (P > 0.005). Conclusion: Despite being held for 7 days, weekly GLP-1RAs negatively impact bowel prep quality, as evidenced by lower BBPS, increased cecal intubation times, increased scope withdrawal times, and the need for repeat procedures. While other factors contribute to these metrics, bad preps translate into longer cases and missed polyps. Our results suggest that targeting patients on GLP-1RAs with extended bowel preps might mitigate against inadequate colonoscopy exams.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
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