GLP-1 Agonists Show Promise in Managing Short Gut Syndrome for IBD Patients
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, widely used to treat diabetes and obesity, may offer a lifeline for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients suffering from short gut syndrome, according to an abstract presented at the Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases annual meeting.
These medications helped 3 patients achieve significant reductions in bowel frequency and dehydration, improving their quality of life, researchers reported.
Short gut syndrome, a debilitating complication of IBD, often results in symptomatic dehydration, kidney injury, and weight loss due to high intestinal output. While the GLP-2 analogue teduglutide is an approved treatment, its restrictive use and side effects limit its availability for many patients. This report suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, could fill this gap.
- Case 1: A 62-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis and an ileostomy reduced her stool output from 6L to 1L per day on semaglutide, avoiding the need for total parenteral nutrition.
- Case 2: A 38-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis and an ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) decreased bowel frequency from 20 episodes to 4 semi-formed stools daily using liraglutide, eliminating her dependence on IV hydration.
- Case 3: A 38-year-old man with Crohn’s disease and an ileostomy experienced a 30% reduction in ostomy output within 4 weeks of starting tirzepatide.
All 3 patients reported substantial improvements in quality of life, with no significant adverse effects.
“Together these cases support the use of GLP-1 targeted therapies for the treatment of symptoms of short gut syndrome such as high bowel frequency and dehydration is effective and safe in IBD patients,” the authors stated.
Reference:
Darlington KC, Kakadiya P, Herfarth H. Successful use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists for the treatment of short gut syndrome in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Presented at: Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Disease annual meeting; December 9-11, 2024. Orlando, Florida.
