Long-term effectiveness of BioEnterics intragastric balloon in obese patients

Background/aims: 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. Material and Methods: 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 mass index loss (excess body mass index loss%)] were recorded at baseline, after 1 month, after 6 months (time of BioEnterics intragastric balloon 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. Results: 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 in a long-term success rate of 34.4%. Percentage of body weight loss and percentage of excess body mass index loss were inversely related to age (p< 0,05). Conclusion: BioEnterics intragastric balloon has been effective in long-term loss of body weight.