Improvement of Metabolic Syndrome Following Intragastric Balloon: 1 Year Follow-up Analysis

Objective  This study aimed to assess the impact of intragastric balloon (IGB)-induced body weight loss on metabolic syndrome in obese patients and evaluate what happens during 1-year follow-up. Methods  To this end, data were collected on 143 obese patients (body mass index (BMI) 36.2 ± 5.7 kg/m2) who underwent IGB insertion between January 2000 and December 2005. Outcomes were recorded at BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon removal time (t ₀) and at 6-month (t ₆) and 12-month (t ₁₂) follow-up. Results  Significant BMI, excess body weight loss percentage, and body weight loss percentage (BWL%) were observed at t ₀ (29.6 ± 4.6 kg/m2; 29.3 ± 4.8%; 14.1 ± 5.7%), followed by partial weight regain at t ₁₂ (32.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2; 26.1 ± 4.9%; 11.2 ± 4.6%). Incidence of metabolic syndrome dropped from 34.8% (pre-IGB value) to 14.5% (t ₀) and 11.6% (t ₁₂). Likewise, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and blood hypertension (BH) incidence decreased from 32.6%, 37.7%, 33.4%, and 44.9% (pre-IGB values) to 20.9%, 14.5%, 16.7%, and 30.4% at t ₀ and 21.3%, 17.4%, 18.9%, and 34.8% at t ₁₂. HbA1c blood concentration shifted from an initial value of 7.5 ± 2.1% to 5.7 ± 1.9% (t ₀), 5.6 ± 0.7% (t ₆), and 5.5 ± 0.9% (t ₁₂). Patients suffering from DM or BH stopped or diminished relative drug consumption at t _12. Negligible modifications were reported as regards HDL cholesterol and hyperuricemia. Conclusion  Weight regain is commonly observed during long-term follow-up after IGB removal. Nevertheless, the maintenance of at least 10% of the BWL%, as reported at 1-year follow-up, is associated with an improvement in metabolic syndrome.