Introduction
Endoscopic gastroplasty (EG) is a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment aimed at reshaping the gastric body to manage obesity. This approach is now applicable across all obesity grades. Currently, three EG techniques are commonly used in clinical practice: endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), endoluminal vertical gastroplasty (EVG), and distal primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE-2).
Aims & Methods
This randomized, single-center clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04854317) included obese individuals undergoing EG using one of the three methods (ESG, EVG, or POSE-2). A subgroup analysis based on obesity classes was performed to determine which technique yields the most favorable outcomes within each class, aiming to support a more tailored, patient-specific treatment approach for obesity. The primary outcomes assessed were weight loss efficacy, improvement in obesity-related comorbidities, and enhancement of quality of life (QoL) across obesity categories.
Results
Between July 2020 and April 2023, 183 patients with obesity (mean BMI 36.3±2.9 kg/m²; mean age 45±10 years; 89.1% female; 57.4% in class II obesity; hepatic steatosis present in 83%) underwent EG using ESG, EVG, or POSE-2. Follow-up adherence was 56.3% at 6 months, 32.8% at 12 months, and 15.8% at 18 months. At these time points, total body weight loss (TBWL) averaged 15.5±6.0%, 14.5±8.5%, and 17.1±10.2%, respectively, while excess weight loss (EWL) was 39.3±15.5%, 36.7±21.3%, and 43.0±26.6%. No significant differences were observed among the three techniques in either TBWL (p=0.92) or EWL (p=0.93) at 18 months.
When stratified by obesity class, there were no significant differences in TBWL (p=0.92) or EWL (p=0.62) among the techniques. However, analyzing technique performance within each obesity class revealed that POSE-2 was superior in class I obesity (p=0.03 for TBWL; p=0.006 for EWL), but less effective in class III (p=0.003). In contrast, EVG showed the best results in class III (p=0.048 for TBWL; p=0.02 for EWL), but underperformed in class I (p=0.034). No significant differences were noted between techniques in class II obesity. Improvements in fatty liver disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea were noted across all groups. Additionally, QoL, as assessed by the BAROS score, significantly improved over 18 months (p<0.001), with no variation across obesity classes.
Conclusion
Endoscopic gastroplasty proved effective in managing obesity. POSE-2 was most beneficial for patients with class I obesity, while ESG and EVG showed greater efficacy in higher obesity classes during mid-term follow-up. These results may support a more personalized therapeutic strategy for obesity.
Disclosure
Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery, EndoTools Therapeutics and USGI Medical.
