GLP-1 Evidence

Not medical advice. A record of published research and our assessments of it. The limits

Multi-Database Pharmacovigilance Analysis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Associated with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A Cross-National Signal Validation Study

Design
Pharmacovigilance · Unknown outcome
Match to healthy normal-weight adults aged 55–75
Different population[Auto] Participants had obesity/overweight (age/BMI not reported in abstract).
Could weight loss explain it?
Unknown[Auto] Harm signal; weight-loss mediation not the relevant question, but consider whether harms relate to rapid weight loss or reduced intake.
Study tier
Study tier 4[Auto] Hypothesis-generating design (auto-provisional).
Assessment
Version 1 · automatic, not yet reviewed by a person · Sep 13, 2026

Study facts come from the paper. Population match, weight-loss explanation and study tier are our judgments, made against the reference group of healthy normal-weight adults aged 55–75.

[Auto, unreviewed; quoted from abstract conclusions] This first multi-database pharmacovigilance analysis confirms consistent GERD signals for GLP-1 RAs across Western and Asian populations, demonstrating approximately 2- to 5-fold higher reporting. Clinicians need to monitor for reflux symptoms during GLP-1 RA therapy, particularly in elderly patients.

01Findings

What the study reported

Drugs
Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Dulaglutide, Exenatide, Tirzepatide
Primary outcome
Not extracted
Effect
Not extracted
95% confidence interval
Not extracted
Follow-up
65 years
Adverse events
Not extracted
Limitations
Auto-classified from abstract only; effect estimates, adverse events and limitations not extracted. Requires manual review.

Who was studied

Obesity status
obesity/overweight present (all or most)
Diabetes status
diabetes mentioned

Study quality details

Study design
Pharmacovigilance analysis
Sample size
not extracted
Randomization
no
Blinding
not stated
Comparator
not stated
Follow up duration
65 years
Outcome type
unknown
Replication
not assessed (auto)
Consistency with other evidence
not assessed (auto)
Population applicability
INDIRECT
Statistical precision
CI reported: 95% confidence intervals (CIs
Risk of bias
not assessed (auto)
Funding conflicts
unclear
Peer review status
yes
02Funding

Funding and conflicts

Funding
not reported in abstract
Industry funded
Unclear
Manufacturer
None identified
Sponsor role
not reported in abstract
Author conflicts
not available in metadata
Independent replication
unknown

Funding is shown on every study and never used to score it.

04Source

The source, as retrieved

Abstract

[BACKGROUND/AIMS] Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Gastrointestinal adverse events are common; however, the association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has not been validated across diverse populations. We aimed to assess GERD signals associated with GLP-1 RAs using disproportionality analysis across three national adverse event reporting systems. [METHODS] We analyzed FAERS, JADER, and Canada Vigilance. GLP-1 RAs were compared against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors as active comparators. GERD was identified using MedDRA preferred terms. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were performed by drug, age, and sex. [RESULTS] Among 260,417 GLP-1 RA reports, significant GERD signals were detected across all databases: FAERS (ROR, 2.83; 95% CI, 2.39 to 3.35; 9,245 vs 139), JADER (4.76; 95% CI, 2.45 to 9.27; 19 vs 16), and Canada Vigilance (2.91; 95% CI, 1.97 to 4.31; 206 vs 29). All signals met both ROR and proportional reporting ratio detection criteria. Drug-specific analyses revealed the strongest signals for semaglutide across all databases (3.44 to 6.93), followed by liraglutide (2.36 to 5.90), tirzepatide (2.76 to 5.77), and dulaglutide (2.35 to 3.32). Exenatide showed an inverse association in FAERS (ROR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.77). Age-stratified analysis demonstrated increasing signal strength with age (≥65 years: ROR, 3.01; p-trend=0.028). Sensitivity analysis confirmed consistent signal directions. [CONCLUSIONS] This first multi-database pharmacovigilance analysis confirms consistent GERD signals for GLP-1 RAs across Western and Asian populations, demonstrating approximately 2- to 5-fold higher reporting. Clinicians need to monitor for reflux symptoms during GLP-1 RA therapy, particularly in elderly patients.

Where this record came from

SourceRetrievedIdentifier
pubmedSep 13, 202642682267
first ingestion