GLP1 Receptor Agonists in Primary Care - May 2026 Journal Club
Watch the recording & view the presentation slides for our Journal Club "GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Primary Care".
The May 2026 GoldNet Journal Club explored the expanding role of GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond weight loss. The session included a case study presentation, a structured critical appraisal of a narrative review by A/Prof. Loai Albarqouni, and an open group discussion hosted by Prof. Nick Zwar with guest expert endocrinologist Dr Anish Menon.
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE ARTICLE (presented by A/Prof. Loai Albarqouni)
Discussion article: Moiz A et al. The expanding role of GLP-1 receptor agonists: a narrative review of current evidence and future directions. EClinicalMedicine. 2025;86. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103363
Weight loss remains the primary and most consistent benefit: The 15–20% seen in RCTs is clinically significant, and the foundation from which the other benefits tend to flow.
Cardiovascular and renal protection have the strongest evidence: Multiple large trials show meaningful reductions in cardiovascular events and kidney complications in high-risk patients.
Many emerging indications were covered, but treat them as signals: Liver disease, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, PCOS, early neurodegenerative data. The biological plausibility is there, but RCT evidence to support off-label use is not yet sufficient.
Be cautious about how much weight you give this review: It's a narrative review, not a systematic one. There's no registered protocol, study selection was subjective, and one author received honoraria from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. That does not make it wrong, but it's worth keeping in mind.
Safety concerns are largely reassuring, with one exception: Pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and suicidality not confirmed in large cohort data. Gallbladder disease is real, though the absolute numbers are small.
Stopping treatment means most of the benefit is lost: The weight comes back and cardiometabolic improvements revert, reinforcing that obesity needs to be managed as a chronic condition.
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS (presented by Prof. Nick Zwar and guest expert Dr. Anish Menon)
Long-term treatment: GLP-1 therapy is increasingly framed as long-term management, comparable to hypertension or dyslipidaemia. Restarting after a break does not reliably restore the same weight loss.
Perioperative risk: ANZCA takes a pragmatic approach (24-hr clear fluids, 6-hr fast; drug cessation not mandated). Proactive patient disclosure before procedures is important.
Cardiovascular guidelines: The Heart Foundation released an obesity and CVD consensus statement the same evening, recommending consideration of GLP-1 receptor agonists for patients with established atherosclerotic CVD and BMI ≥27.
Anti-inflammatory effects: A case study patient with seronegative inflammatory arthritis showed complete symptom remission and normalised CRP alongside weight loss, illustrating the broader question of whether benefits extend beyond weight reduction alone.
Muscle preservation: Protein intake of 1.2–1.6g/kg/day and resistance training are key. Practical tip: ensure protein on the plate equals or exceeds carbohydrates. Dietitian and exercise physiologist referral encouraged.
SSRIs and weight: Long-term SSRI/SNRI use (>12 months) is a recognised contributor to weight gain, worth reviewing before adding weight management medications. RELEASE toolkit (https://releasetoolkit.com.au/) provides drug-specific hyperbolic tapering schedules.
Speakers
With guest commentary from Dr Anish Menon — Dr Anish Menon is an Endocrinologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, and a research fellow at The University of Queensland. His work focuses on diabetes care and digital health innovation, leading initiatives that use technology to improve patient outcomes, care delivery, and the management of complex metabolic conditions.
Case study presented by Professor Nick Zwar — Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University; Chair of GoldNet Research Steering Committee; local GP.
Journal Club Review lead by Associate Professor Loai Albarqouni - Institute for Evidence-based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University