MINI REVIEW article
Front. Gastroenterol.
Sec. Therapy in Gastroenterology
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Safety, Clinical Effectiveness and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms
- SF
Shannon Fernando 1
- JZ
Joy Zhao 2
- KJ
Kevan Josloff 2
- NZ
Nida Zubair 1
- AD
Aakash Desai 3,4
- RS
Raina Shivashankar 2
- PK
Patricia Kozuch 2
- CC
Cuckoo Choudhary 2
- GL
Gary Lichtenstein 5
- PS
Priya Sehgal 2
1. Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC), Philadelphia, United States
2. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, United States
3. Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, United States
4. Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, United States
5. University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, United States
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Abstract
Intro: The prevalence of obesity among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to rise and is associated with adverse IBD outcomes and diminished treatment response. This study reviews the clinical safety and efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) in patients with IBD and comorbid obesity and explores their theorized anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Methods: Published articles through July 2026 were identified via a PubMed search for a narrative review using terms related to GLP-1RA, IBD, safety, effectiveness, and outcomes. Data extraction focused on GLP-1RA intervention details, IBD-related outcomes and inflammatory markers, and proposed anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Results: GLP-1RA therapy promotes weight loss in patients with IBD comparable to the general population (about 16 pounds over 18 months). The most frequently reported adverse effects are gastrointestinal, often limiting treatment continuity. Most studies report no significant differences in hospitalization, surgery, steroid use or IBD medication adjustments, and some reported improvement in these outcomes. Data on endoscopic disease activity is limited. Inconsistent effects of GLP-1RA on inflammatory serum biomarkers were noted, with reductions in CRP but no consistent changes in fecal calprotectin. Discussion: Addressing obesity in patients with IBD is an emerging clinical priority. GLP-1RA therapy demonstrates efficacy in promoting weight loss, improving glycemic control, and reducing systemic inflammation, which may benefit IBD disease activity. Longitudinal studies are required to clarify the long-term impact of GLP-1RA on clinical and endoscopic outcomes in IBD.
Summary
Keywords
glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, inflammatory bowel disease, Obesity, Safety, Weight Loss
Received
24 April 2026
Accepted
17 July 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Fernando, Zhao, Josloff, Zubair, Desai, Shivashankar, Kozuch, Choudhary, Lichtenstein and Sehgal. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Priya Sehgal
Disclaimer
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