Long-term effectiveness of BioEnterics intragastric balloon in obese patients

The BioEnterics intragastric balloon has been considered an effective and less invasive method for weight loss. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of this method on long-term weight loss.

From June 2009 to June 2011, 32 patients (14 male, 18 female) underwent BioEnterics intragastric balloon therapy for 6 months. The mean age of the subjects was 39,7±11,1 years and mean body mass index was 44,4±12 kg/m 2 . All patients were given a diet of 1100 kcal/day. Weight loss parameters [absolute weight loss, body mass index loss, percentage of body weight loss, and percentage of excess body massindex loss (excess body mass index loss%)] were recorded at baseline, after 1 month, after 6 months (time of BioEnterics intragastricballoon removal), and after 12 months from baseline. Successful weight loss was defined as ≥10% weight loss after 6 (end of treatment success) and 12 months (long-term success). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS computer program.

The mean weight loss and body mass index loss were 12,4 kg (standart deviation, 13,5) and 4.3 kg/m 2 (standart deviation, 4,7), respectively (p<0.001). The mean percentage of body weight loss was 9.5% (standart deviation, 9,8). The percentage of excess body mass index loss reached 25,2% (standart deviation, 25,9). Fifteen patients (46,9%) achieved a percentage of body weight loss >10% at the end of treatment. Eleven of these patients (73%) were able to maintain weight loss of 10% at the completion of the study, resulting ina longterm success rate of 34.4%. Percentage of body weight loss and percentage of excess body mass index loss were inversely relatedto age (p< 0,05).

BioEnterics intragastric balloon has been effective in long-term loss of body weight.