Factors Affecting Weight Reduction after Intragastric Balloon Insertion: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery and Endoscopic Procedures
• Obesity Management and Treatment
• Metabolic and Bariatric Medicine

Background:

• Intragastric balloon (IGB) therapy is recognized as a safe method for managing obesity.
• Limited research exists on factors influencing the success of IGB procedures.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing weight reduction after intragastric balloon (IGB) placement.
• To analyze demographic and procedural variables associated with excess weight loss (EWL).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 126 obese patients undergoing IGB treatment with the ORBERA® system.
• Collected data included demographics, initial BMI, complications, and adherence to diet/exercise.
• Recorded percentage of excess weight reduction (EWL).

Main Results:

• The study included 108 females (85.7%) and 18 males (14.3%), with a mean age of 31.7 years.
• Average EWL was 55.8%, with a mean weight loss of 13.01 kg.
• Significant associations found between EWL and age, initial weight, initial BMI, and number of pregnancies. Low complication rates were observed.

Conclusions:

• Intragastric balloon therapy demonstrates safety and efficacy in obesity management.
• Older age, lower initial BMI, longer IGB duration, and fewer pregnancies in females are linked to higher EWL.
• Further prospective research is recommended to validate these findings.