Clinical Case Summary

A 64-year-old male patient presented with acute epigastric pain over 7 days, worsening after meals, nausea, vomiting 2 times without signs of bleeding, diarrhea 5-6 times/day, high blood pressure 180/100 mmHg. He had a 6-year history of recurrent epigastric pain, after multiple EGDSs was diagnosed as gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis. The patient had undergone HP eradication and received standard anti-ulcer therapy several times, with no clinical improvement. On physical examination, the patient appeared pale. The abdomen was soft, without pain, guarding or rebound tenderness. The patient's medical history was significant for arterial hypertension. Lab abnormalities included WBC 16.32-10x10⁹/L, ESR 94mm/sec, CRP at 184.3 mg/L, FBG 767 mg, Total protein 50.9 g/L, CREA 147 mmol/L, Urea 13.42 mmol/L, Na 129 mmol/L. Intestinal infections were negative. New EGDS revealed an ulcerative lesion with 0.8cm diameter, in the region from antrum to greater curvature, covered with fibrin. Colonoscopy was normal. Duplex ultrasound revealed a 70% stenosis of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery, with atherosclerotic wall deformation and intima-media thickening. A thrombosis was detected in the region of the aortic bifurcation. CT angiography revealed up to 70% stenosis of the suprarenal abdominal aorta, no contrast enhancement was observed in the origins of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, left renal artery (left kidney appeared atrophic), total occlusion of bilateral common, external, and internal iliac arteries.
Conclusion: Gastric ulcers are mostly associated with HP. However, in rare cases, underlying vascular pathology may be critical in their pathogenesis. This case highlights an overlooked cause of gastric ulcers, particularly in patients with atherosclerotic risk factors. In patients with persistent symptoms despite medical therapy ischemic ulceration should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Introduction

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have gained attention for their role in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. These drugs help regulate blood sugar levels and promote satiety. This effect benefits weight management, as it supports better control over eating habits and can lead to significant weight loss in some patients. In addition, recent studies showed promising influences on reducing alcohol consumption.

Aims & Methods

This systematic review assesses the impact of GLP-1 RA treatment on alcohol consumption behaviors. Following PRISMA guidelines, this study is conducted through a comprehensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to February 1, 2025. It included participants with occasional or excessive alcohol use, focusing on self-reported intake, alcohol-related diagnoses, relapse rates, and neuroimaging. Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessments were independently performed by reviewers using the CASP tool, with both qualitative and quantitative synthesis of outcomes.

Results

Thirteen studies are included in this study with a sample size of 5,246,188 participants. The GLP-1 RAs consisted of Semaglutide, Exenatide, Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, and Tirzepatide. The overall mean alcohol intake decreased significantly from 11.8 ± 1.0 to 4.3 ± 0.5 units per week (p < 0.001) ¹. At week 12, participants in the dulaglutide group consumed approximately 29% less alcohol than those in the placebo group (adjusted relative effect = 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.97, P = 0.04) ². In contrast, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving Exenatide showed no difference in alcohol consumption (in grams) between the treatment and placebo ³. Additionally, two observational studies reported significant reductions in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores with Semaglutide (B = -5.1, SE = 1.3, p < 0.001) and Tirzepatide (B = -6.7, SE = 1.3, p < 0.001) ^4,5. An additional observational study demonstrated a notable decrease in AUDIT-Consumption compared to unexposed individuals (DiD: 0.09 points, 95% CI: 0.03–0.14, p = 0.0025) ⁶. The CASP assessments rated most studies as moderate to high quality.

Conclusion

GLP-1 receptor agonists appear to offer a promising, effective, and well-tolerated pharmacological approach for reducing alcohol consumption and preventing relapse in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Further large-scale randomized trials are required to confirm their efficacy and guide clinical practice.

References

1. O’Farrell M, Almohaileb FI, le Roux CW. Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues reduce alcohol intake. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(3):1601-1604. doi:10.1111/DOM.16152
2. Probst L, Monnerat S, Vogt DR, et al. Effects of dulaglutide on alcohol consumption during smoking cessation. JCI Insight. 2023;8(22). doi:10.1172/JCI.INSIGHT.170419
3. Klausen MK, Jensen ME, Møller M, et al. Exenatide once weekly for alcohol use disorder investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. JCI Insight. 2022;7(19). doi:10.1172/JCI.INSIGHT.159863
4. Quddos F, Hubshman Z, Tegge A, et al. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce alcohol consumption in individuals with obesity. Scientific Reports 2023 13:1. 2023;13(1):1-12. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-48267-2
5. Richards J, Dorand MF, Royal K, Mnajjed L, Paszkowiak M, Simmons WK. Significant Decrease in Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms Secondary to Semaglutide Therapy for Weight Loss: A Case Series. J Clin Psychiatry. 2023;85(1). doi:10.4088/JCP.23M15068
6. Farokhnia M, Tazare J, Pince CL, et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists but not dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors reduce alcohol intake.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this abstract. All findings and conclusions are the authors' own and do not represent the views of any funding organizations or institutions.

Introduction

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent growing global health challenges, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as a cornerstone in the management of both conditions due to their metabolic benefits, including weight loss and glycemic control. European cohort studies have reported a high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms – including nausea, vomiting and early satiety among patients using GLP-1RAs. In parallel, increased rates of residual gastric content (RGC) during upper endoscopy have raised safety concerns, prompting reevaluation of pre-procedural fasting guidelines. However, data on the effects of GLP1-RA on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in Asian patients is limited.

Aims & Methods

Our primary aim was to characterize a cohort of patients who received treatment with GLP1-RA in terms of their gastrointestinal side effects and presence of RGC during upper endoscopy. The secondary objective was to compare the afore-mentioned variables between 2 groups: oral versus subcutaneous mode of administration. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study of 139 Asian adult patients with T2DM and/or obesity who were prescribed GLP-1RAs at a tertiary hospital between 01 January 2022 to 01 January 2023. Data collected included demographics, anthropometric measurements, co-morbidities, GI symptoms and upper endoscopy findings. Upper endoscopy images were analysed and adequacy of mucosal visibility was graded using the POLPREP scale. Patients were further stratified into two subgroups based on route of GLP-1RA administration: oral versus subcutaneous. Statistical analysis compared symptom prevalence and POLPREP scores across subgroups using chi square test, with p <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 139 patients were analysed. 19.4% of patients had GLP-1RA prescribed for T2DM, 21.6% for Obesity, and 58.8% for both. The most commonly prescribed GLP-1RA was Liraglutide (33.8%) followed by oral Semaglutide (28.1%). Majority of patients (66.9%) did not have any GI side effects. The most commonly reported GI symptoms were abdominal bloating (15.8%), nausea (7.9%) and early satiety (4.3%). 13.7% of patients underwent upper endoscopy with 89.5% having a POLPREP score of 3 with no significant complications reported. None of the patients withheld GLP-1RA prior to endoscopy. Upon stratifying patients based on route of administration, analysis revealed that patients on oral GLP-1RAs were more likely to report nausea compared to those on subcutaneous formulations (15.8% vs 5.0%, p=0.03). There were no significant differences in the other GI symptoms or POLPREP scores.

Conclusion

Based on our Asian cohort, these findings suggest that GLP-1RAs have an acceptable GI symptom profile with a potential route-dependent difference in symptomatology. In addition, discontinuing these drugs prior to upper endoscopy may be unnecessary.

References

1. Camilleri et al. Effects of GLP-1 and other Gut Hormone Receptors on the Gastrointestinal tract and implications in clinical practice. Am J Gastroenterol 2024;119:1028-1037
2. Nadeem et al. Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on upper endoscopy in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2024.
3. Jalleh et al. Gastrointestinal effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists: mechanisms, management, and future directions. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024;9:957-64
4. Facciorusso et al. Effects of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A meta-analysis. Clinical Gastroenterol and Hepatol 2024.
5. Romańczyk et al. Scoring system assessing mucosal visibility of upper gastrointestinal tract: The POLPREP scale. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022 Jan;37(1):164-168.

Disclosure

Nothing to disclose

Clinical Case Summary

We present the case of a 50-year-old man diagnosed with anti-EJ positive anti-synthetase syndrome in 2020. Two years after the diagnosis, he began experiencing subacute episodes of postprandial abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting. On physical examination, the abdomen was distended, non-tender, and tympanic. Abdominal CT revealed dilatation of small bowel loops without evidence of mechanical obstruction. Endoscopic studies ruled out endoluminal lesions. Given the suspicion of a severe gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorder, a comprehensive motility evaluation was performed. Esophageal manometry revealed absent contractility, gastric emptying scintigraphy was consistent with gastroparesis, and small bowel manometry demonstrated absence of normal migrating motor complexes during fasting and a weak postprandial motor response, findings compatible with a myopathic pattern. A diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) secondary to autoimmune disease activity was established. The patient’s immunosuppressive therapy was escalated to tofacitinib and supportive treatment with prokinetics (prucalopride), non- absorbable antibiotics for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and nutritional supplementation, was initiated. The patient showed symptomatic improvement during follow-up, although small bowel dilation persisted on imaging studies. CIPO is the most severe form of GI motility disorder, representing the end stage of various conditions affecting the neuromuscular system of the GI tract (1). Autoimmune diseases are recognized causes of CIPO, with connective tissue disorders being the most frequently documented. The treatment of CIPO involves two main approaches: addressing the underlying disease, in this particular case, through immunosuppression, and providing supportive care to maintain adequate nutrition. A high index of suspicion for severe GI motility disorders is essential to avoid delays in diagnosis and to initiate effective treatment promptly.

References

1. Malagelada C and Alcalá-González LG. Mistakes in chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction and how to avoid them. UEG Education 2024; 24: 12-17.
Pictures from abdominal distention crisis, radiological CT images and manometric tracings, including high-resolution jejunal manometry (small bowel) will be presented.