{
  "abstract": "Introduction Obesity is increasingly prevalent 1 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is associated with nonresponse to medical therapies2 and disease progression. The management of obesity in the general population has undergone a paradigm shift following the introduction of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). Here we sought to assess the change in patient-reported use of GLP-1RAs in patients with IBD over the course of the last year.Methods We used the MyChart application in our electronic patient record [EPIC] to distribute a purpose designed questionnaire to patients with an ICD-10 code of IBD in December 2024 3 and January 2026: the response rates were 45.0% (1102/2450 [95% CIs 43.0-47.0%]) and 37.2% (1089/2931 [95% CIs 35.4-38.9%]) respectively. Paired data where patients completed the questionnaire in both years were available in 31.4% (522/1665 [95% CIs 29.2-33.6%]).Results Over the course of the last year in the overall- and paired populations there was an increase in BMI (median [IQR] 25.7 [22.8-30.0] to 26.7 [23.8-31.1] kg/m 2, p=6.4x10-5 and 26.8 [23.4-31.7] to 27.1 [23.8-31.8] kg/m2, p=3.7x10-4, respectively) and overweight and obesity (figure 1A).In the overall IBD population any self-reported GLP1 RA use has increased from 1.6% (18/1093) to 8.2% (86/1054) [p=4.3x10-12]. Amongst, overweight and obese patients defined by BMI in 2024 (58.9% [95% CIs 53.3-64.2%] female [182/309], median [IQR] age 56.6 [46.2-66.1]) GLP 1RA use has increased from 3.2% (10/309 [95% CIs 1.8-5.9%]) to 13.6% (42/309 [95% CIs 10.2-17.9%] [p=7.1x10-6]). Any GLP-1RA use in the timeframe of the study was associated with a decrease in BMI (median [IQR] 35.3 [30.3-38.9] to 31.2 [27.7-35.8] kg/m2, p=1.6x10-10) with an associated fall in BMI category (figure 1A). Whilst all GLP-1RAs use has increased, the largest change was seen in patients using tirzepatide and semaglutide (figure 1B). Most patients obtained GLP-1 RAs through an online pharmacy with the primary indication being weight loss in 93.9% (108/115 [95% CIs 88.0-97.1%]) patients. GLP1-RA use was formally recorded in 33.0% (38/115 [95% 25.1-42.1]) patient’s EPR. In the 2026 survey 73.9% (249/337 [95% CIs 69.0-78.4%]) of patients who are eligible for a GLP-1RA who have not used these a GLP-1RA and have expressed an interest in participating in a clinical trial of a GLP-1RA.Discussion The rate of GLP-1RA use has increased 5-fold in a year and their use is associated with meaningful weight loss. Most patients buy their GLP-1RA privately and only a third of patients disclose using them to their treating IBD team. Three quarters of obese patients expressed an interest in a trial of a licensed weight loss medication as an adjunct to conventional IBD therapy.References Roberts C, et al. O18 Prevalence and factors associated with obesity in patients with IBD treated with infliximab and vedolizumab across the United Kingdom (UK). Gut 2025;74:A12–A13.Chanchlani N, et al. Mechanisms and management of loss of response to anti-TNF therapy for patients with Crohn’s disease: 3-year data from the prospective, multicentre PANTS cohort study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Jun;9(6):521–538. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(24)00044-X. Epub 2024 Apr 16. PMID: 38640937.Hodges P, et al. P1078 Weight-loss medications and bariatric surgery are infrequently used in obese patients with inflammatory bowel disease in North and East Devon in the United Kingdom (UK). Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis 2025;19(1):i1984. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjae190.1252Abstract P181 Figure 1A) Alluvial plot showing changes in BMI category in individuals with paired BMI results based on whether they reported any GLP-1 RA exposure. B) Stacked bar plot showing the changing use of individual GLP-1 RAs between the two timepoints",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Christopher Roberts"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Phoebe Hodges"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Vida Cairnes"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca Smith"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Jennie Clough"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Nicholas A Kennedy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "James Goodhand"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Devon University Healthcare, Exeter, United Kingdom",
        "Exeter IBD and Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Exeter, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Tariq Ahmad"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P181 Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use has increased 5-fold in a year and leads to meaningful weight loss in IBD",
  "uid": "e17dfa4d-7bc6-5b1e-8c1a-837dc660100c"
}