Updates in metabolic bariatric endoscopy

Novel endoscopic gastric purse-string suture device for weight management in a porcine model (with video)

Obesity is a global health issue. Traditional treatment modalities such as lifestyle modifications, pharmacological interventions, and bariatric surgery often present various limitations. Recently, endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) have emerged as promising minimally invasive approaches for weight management. These therapies reduce gastric volume and energy intake, prolong gastric emptying, and regulate hormones associated with satiety. This study evaluated endoscopic gastric purse-string suturing (EGPSS), a novel endoscopic procedure designed to reduce gastric fundus volume while minimizing associated risks. We assessed its feasibility and efficacy in a porcine model in terms of histological, physiological, and metabolic outcomes. The results suggest that EGPSS offers a viable option for metabolic control.

Revisional endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight recidivism after sleeve gastrectomy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Weight recidivism following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is common. Adjuvant treatments include new glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor agonists (GLP1/GIP-RA) or revisional endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (R-ESG). We here compare the outcomes of these treatments.

METHODS

A retrospective study of patients ≥18 years with prior SG treated with semaglutide, tirzepatide or R-ESG for weight recidivism between January 2019 and 2023 at large academic centre. Primary outcomes were total body weight loss (TBWL) and adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes were changes in metabolic parameters. Tertiary outcome was to compare GLP1/GIP-RA outcomes in SG patients to matched patients with intact stomach.

RESULTS

Our study included 68 (prior SG + GLP1/GIP-RA) and 22 (prior SG + R-ESG). R-ESG offered higher TBWL% than GLP1/GIP-RA at 3 (11.2% vs. 4.3%, p < .001), 6 (13.5% vs. 6.8%, p < .001) and 12 months (13.4% vs. 9.2%, p = .07) with no significant difference in AEs or change in metabolic parameters. On subgroup analysis, tirzepatide achieved similar 12-months TBWL% as R-ESG (13.2% vs. 13.4%, p = .9) and significantly more than semaglutide (13.2% vs. 8.1%, p = .04). Compared to patients with intact stomach (n = 87), GLP1/GIP-RA achieved significantly lower TBWL% in patients with prior SG at 3 (4.3% vs. 5.7%, p = .02), 6 (6.8% vs. 9.2%, p = .02) and 12 months (9.2% vs. 12.7%, p = .03). Medication refills were difficult in 41.3% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In a single-centre real-world experience study, R-ESG and tirzepatide appear to offer more weight loss than semaglutide in SG patients with weight recidivism although GLP1/GIP-RA were underdosed. GLP1/GIP-RA achieved higher weight loss in patients with intact stomach than those with prior SG.

Advances in Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Therapies

This article presents an overview of endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) as emerging minimally invasive interventions for obesity and its related comorbidities. It explores various gastric and small-bowel endoscopic procedures, including their mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and safety profiles.

The Future of Endobariatrics: Bridging the Gap

With the growing global burden of obesity, the field of endobariatrics has emerged as a promising alternative, filling the void between lifestyle interventions with modest efficacy and more invasive surgical procedures. This article explores the latest advancements in endobariatric therapies, encompassing endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), intragastric balloons (IGB), endoscopic metabolic therapies, and promising pharmacologic and surgical combination approaches that integrate multiple therapeutic modalities. It also outlines the critical factors and strategic considerations necessary for the successful integration of endobariatric interventions into clinical practice.

Navigating the Predictive Landscape: DiaRem's Role in Unveiling Outcomes for Diabetes Remission following ESG

PURPOSE

Rising obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rates can be mitigated by various strategies, with a 10% total body weight loss (TBWL) threshold often required for T2DM remission. T2DM remission rates after bariatric surgery like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are well established; endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is a less invasive option that averages 15% TBWL and allows for T2DM remission. This study explores the DiaRem (Diabetes Remission post-RYGB) score's ability to predict T2DM remission 1-year post-ESG.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 39 individuals with T2DM who underwent ESG. Age, utilization of diabetes medications, insulin administration, and hemoglobin A1c levels were used to calculate the DiaRem score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was employed to evaluate the discriminative ability of DiaRem in distinguishing diabetes remission.

RESULTS

Among the 39 patients with a median hemoglobin A1c of 6.7, 12.8% required insulin, and 43.6% used diabetes medication. At 1-year post-ESG, 69.2% of patients experienced diabetes remission with a median %TWBL of 12.7. The DiaRem score's ability to detect diabetes resolution for ESG patients had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 58.3%, at the optimal cutoff value of 10. The AUC was 0.779 (95% CI 0.546-0.959).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the DiaRem score's predictive value for T2DM remission post-ESG, highlighting its utility in clinical decision-making for ESG-related outcomes. Further investigation is needed to identify alternative indicators that may enhance predictive accuracy, thus refining personalized decision-making for this patient group.

Role of endoscopic duodenojejunal bypass liner in obesity management and glycemic control

The treatment of obesity and its comorbidities ranges from clinical management involving lifestyle changes and medications to bariat-ric and metabolic surgery. Various endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies recently emerged to address an important therapeutic gap by offering a less invasive alternative to surgery that is more effective than conservative therapies. This article compre-hensively reviews the technical aspects, mechanism of action, outcomes, and future perspectives of one of the most promising endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies, named duodenojejunal bypass liner. The duodenojejunal bypass liner mimics the mechanism of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass by preventing food contact with the duodenum and proximal jejunum, thereby initiating a series of hormonal changes that lead to delayed gastric emptying and malabsorptive effects. These physiological changes result in significant weight loss and improved metabolic control, leading to better glycemic levels, preventing dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and mitigating cardiovascular risk. However, concern ex-ists regarding the safety profile of this device due to the reported high rates of severe adverse events, particularly liver abscesses. Ongo-ing technical changes aiming to reduce adverse events are being evaluated in clinical trials and may provide more reliable data to sup-port its routine use in clinical practice.

Gastro-esophageal diagnostic workup before bariatric surgery or endoscopic treatment for obesity: position statement of the International Society of Diseases of the Esophagus

Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial condition characterized by abnormal weight gain due to excessive adipose tissue accumulation that represents a growing worldwide challenge for public health. In addition, obese patients have an increased risk of hiatal hernia, esophageal, and gastric dysfunction, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease, which has a prevalence over 40% in those seeking endoscopic or surgical intervention. Surgery has been demonstrated to be the most effective treatment for severe obesity in terms of long-term weight loss, comorbidities, and quality of life improvements and overall mortality decrease. The recent emergence of bariatric endoscopic techniques promises less invasive, more cost-effective, and reproducible approaches to the treatment of obesity. With the endorsement of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, we started a Delphi process to develop consensus statements on the most appropriate diagnostic workup to preoperatively assess gastroesophageal function before bariatric surgical or endoscopic interventions. The Consensus Working Group comprised 11 international experts from five countries. The group consisted of gastroenterologists and surgeons with a large expertise with regard to gastroesophageal reflux disease, bariatric surgery and endoscopy, and physiology. Ten statements were selected, on the basis of the agreement level and clinical relevance, which represent an evidence and experience-based consensus of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus.

How to establish an endoscopic bariatric practice

Obesity is a chronic, progressive, and relapsing disease of excess adiposity that contributes to more than two hundred medical conditions and is projected to affect more than half the adult population of the United States by the year 2030. Given the limited penetrance of traditional bariatric surgery, as well as the cost and adherence barriers to anti-obesity medications, there is growing interest in the rapidly evolving field of endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBTs). EBTs are minimally invasive, same-day, per-oral endoscopic procedures and include endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, intragastric balloons, and endoscopic bariatric revisional procedures. This field represents an exciting and innovative subspecialty within gastroenterology. However, building a successful endoscopic bariatric practice requires intentional, coordinated, and sustained efforts to overcome the numerous obstacles to entry. Common barriers include acquisition of the technical and cognitive skillset, practice limitations including the availability of nutrition counseling, facility capabilities, direct-to-consumer marketing, and financial pressures such as facility and anesthesia fees. As the highest-volume center for metabolic and bariatric endoscopy in the United States, we provide insights into successfully establishing an endoscopic bariatric program.