Endoscopic gastroplasty to treat medically uncontrolled obesity needs more quality data: A systematic review

Contemporary medical, device, and surgical therapies for obesity in adults

The goal of obesity management is to improve health. Sustained weight loss of more than 10% overall bodyweight improves many of the complications associated with obesity (eg, prevention and control of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnoea), as well as quality of life. Maintenance of weight loss is the major challenge of obesity management. Like all chronic diseases, managing obesity requires a long-term, multimodal approach, taking into account each individual's treatment goals, and the benefit and risk of different therapies. In conjunction with lifestyle interventions, anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery improve the maintenance of weight loss and associated health gains. Most available anti-obesity medications act on central appetite pathways to reduce hunger and food reward. In the past 5 years, therapeutic advances have seen the development of targeted treatments for monogenic obesities and a new generation of anti-obesity medications. These highly effective anti-obesity medications are associated with weight losses of more than 10% of overall bodyweight in more than two-thirds of clinical trial participants. Long-term data on safety, efficacy, and cardiovascular outcomes are awaited. Long-term studies have shown that bariatric surgical procedures typically lead to a durable weight loss of 25% and rapid, sustained improvements in complications of obesity, although they have not yet been compared with new-generation highly effective anti-obesity medications. Further work is required to determine optimal patient-specific treatment strategies, including combinations of lifestyle interventions, anti-obesity medications, endoscopic and bariatric surgical procedures, and to ensure equitable access to effective treatments.

Primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) for the treatment of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) utilizes an incision-less operating platform system to create full-thickness plications in the gastric fundus and body (original POSE). Many studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of original POSE for the treatment of obesity.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature in an attempt to evaluate the outcomes of original POSE per the ASGE task force thresholds.

METHODS

Bibliographic databases were systematically searched for studies assessing the outcomes of POSE for the treatment of obesity. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that assessed outcomes of POSE were included. Studies were included if they reported percent total weight loss (%TWL) or percent excess weight loss (%EWL) and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAE).

RESULTS

A total of seven studies with 613 patients were included. Two included studies were RCTs, while the remaining were observational studies. Pooled mean %EWL at 3-6 months and 12-15 months were 42.62 (95% CI 37.56-47.68) and 48.86 (95% CI 42.31-55.41), respectively. Pooled mean %TWL at 3-6 months and 12-15 months was 13.45 (95% CI 8.93-17.97) and 12.68 (95% CI 8.13-17.23), respectively. Subgroup analysis of two RCTs showed that weight loss at 1 year was significantly higher in POSE patients (%EWL difference in means 19.45 (95% CI 4.65-34.24, p value = 0.01). The overall incidence of serious adverse events was only 2.84% and included GI bleeding, extra-gastric bleeding, hepatic abscess, severe pain, severe nausea, and severe vomiting. The mean number of total anchors placed in the fundus and body was 13.18 (95% CI 11.77-14.58), and the mean procedure time was 44.55 min (95% CI 36.44-52.65).

CONCLUSION

POSE, a minimally invasive endoscopic bariatric therapy, is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of obesity. The outcomes of POSE meet and surpass the ASGE joint task force thresholds. Future studies should evaluate newer versions of this procedure that emphasize gastric body plication sparing the fundus.

Procedures and devices for bariatric and metabolic endoscopy

Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death in developed countries, with a rising incidence over time. Lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery are the mainstays of bariatric therapy, even though burdened by several limitations in terms of efficacy or safety. Bariatric endoscopy has been developed in the last decades as a minimally invasive alternative, aimed to bridge the gap between conservative and interventional conventional therapies. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the bariatric and metabolic available endoscopic procedures and to drive the choice of the right procedure for the right patient.

Medical and surgical management of obesity and diabetes: what's new?

We conducted a narrative review of the medical and surgical management of people with obesity and diabetes. Results of this review showed that a 5-10% loss in body weight can be achieved with a change in lifestyle, diet and behaviour and with approved pharmacological therapies in people with obesity and diabetes. New targeted therapies are now available for patients with previously untreatable genetic causes of obesity. Compared to medical treatment, metabolic and bariatric surgery is associated with significantly higher rates of remission from type 2 diabetes and lower rates of incident macrovascular and microvascular complications and mortality. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the American Diabetes Association endorse metabolic and bariatric surgery in obese adults with type 2 diabetes and there may also be a role for this in obese individuals with type 1 diabetes. The paediatric committee of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery have recommended metabolic and bariatric surgery in obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes. Earlier and more aggressive treatment with metabolic and bariatric surgery in obese or overweight people with diabetes can improve morbidity and mortality.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty worldwide for treatment of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) has gained momentum as a promising, minimally invasive bariatric therapy worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

We performed the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and procedural technique of ESG.

METHODS

Bibliographic databases were systematically searched for studies assessing patients who underwent ESG for the treatment of obesity. Studies were included if they reported percent total weight loss or percent excess weight loss and the incidence of serious adverse events. Studies with <15 patients, follow-up period <6 months, and overlapping patients were excluded.

RESULTS

Eight observational studies with 1859 patients were included. Pooled mean percent total weight loss at 6, 12, and 24 months was 14.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.83-15.90), 16.43 (95%CI: 15.23-17.63), and 20.01 (95%CI:  16.92-23.11), respectively. Pooled mean percent excess weight loss at 6, 12, and 24 months was 55.75 (95%CI: 50.61-60.89), 61.84 (95%CI: 54.75-68.93), and 60.40 (95%CI: 48.88-71.92), respectively. The pooled incidence of serious adverse events was 2.26% (95%CI 1.25-4.03) and no mortality was reported. Gastrointestinal bleeding and perigastric fluid collection were the most common reported serious adverse events; however, the pooled incidence of both was <1%. Variations in procedural technique were seen, but the full-thickness nature of suturing was reported in all studies. A layer of reinforcement sutures was performed in the majority of studies (n = 6). Limitations include the lack of controlled studies, long-term follow-up data, and standardization of technique.

CONCLUSION

ESG, a minimally invasive bariatric therapy, is reproducible among centers worldwide with effective weight loss and favorable safety profile outcomes. Controlled studies would be valuable to further corroborate these findings.