GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Linked to Reduced Steroid Use and Escalation in IBD
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), widely used for diabetes and obesity, were associated with reduced corticosteroid use and treatment escalation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a large real-world analysis using the TriNetX database. The findings suggest a potential adjunctive role for these agents in IBD management.
Investigators identified adults with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) who initiated a GLP-1 RA or another antihyperglycemic therapy. After propensity score matching, cohorts included 1,539 patients with UC and 1,107 with CD in each group. Outcomes were assessed over 5 years and in a landmark analysis excluding the first year.
GLP-1 RA use was associated with reduced corticosteroid exposure in both UC (odds ratio [OR], 0.603) and CD (OR, 0.673). Biologic or small-molecule initiation was also lower among GLP-1 RA users (UC OR, 0.617; CD OR, 0.503). In UC, GLP-1 RA therapy was additionally linked to fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations (OR, 0.748), with a similar trend observed in CD.
Effects were more pronounced in the landmark analysis. In UC, GLP-1 RA use was associated with further reductions in corticosteroid use (OR, 0.432) and acute care utilization (OR, 0.553). In CD, reduced emergency and inpatient encounters reached statistical significance (OR, 0.470), although other outcomes were less consistent.
The authors reported that “GLP-1 RAs were associated with reduced corticosteroid and biologic escalation and lower ER/inpatient utilization in UC and CD,” with “stronger effects in UC.” They noted that these findings support “a sustained clinical benefit among established IBD patients.”
Reference
yan sun, Donovan Veccia, Prathosh Velpuri, et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce long-term steroid, biologic, and acute care utilization in ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease: a 5-year trinetx study with landmark analysis. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; May 2–5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois.
