Should We Hold GLP-1–Based Medications before Upper Endoscopy?

Concerns have been raised about whether the delayed gastric emptying caused by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)–based medications might jeopardize patient safety during procedures that require sedation. However, little evidence has been available to substantiate these concerns.

For this randomized trial, researchers recruited 60 adults on a stable dose of a GLP-1–related medication who were scheduled to undergo elective upper endoscopy. Participants were randomized to either continue that medication as scheduled or hold the last dose before the procedure. The primary outcome was residual gastric volume (RGV) that precluded endoscopic examination, required early termination of the procedure or intubation, or resulted in aspiration that …