Six-Month Outcomes of Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon Therapy: A Prospective Single-Center Study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Bariatric Endoscopy
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Obesity presents a significant global health challenge, increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Intragastric balloon therapy offers a minimally invasive option for weight management.
• It serves as an alternative for patients ineligible for bariatric surgery or as a preparatory intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of intragastric balloon therapy for weight management.
• To assess the safety and metabolic impacts of this endoscopic intervention.
• To analyze changes in body weight, BMI, and adipose tissue distribution.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort of 65 patients underwent endoscopic intragastric balloon placement.
• Baseline assessments included weight, BMI, and CT scans for fat tissue analysis.
• Patients were followed up at 2 and 6 months post-procedure for outcome assessment.

Main Results:

• 62 patients completed the study, showing a significant median weight reduction from 104.5 kg to 88 kg.
• Mean BMI decreased from 37.59 to 32.79 kg/m2.
• Significant reductions in subcutaneous and visceral fat tissue thickness were observed, with a favorable safety profile and minimal complications.

Conclusions:

• Intragastric balloon therapy is an effective and safe method for short-term weight loss.
• The procedure leads to significant reductions in both overall weight and specific adipose tissue depots.
• Further investigation is warranted to determine long-term outcomes and sustained metabolic benefits.