Improving Weight Loss by Combination of Two Temporary Antiobesity Treatments.

Abstract

It is generally accepted that the efficacy with an intragastric balloon decreases after the first 4months of treatment. Aim of this study is to evaluate if the association of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) can improve the results in terms of weight loss parameters and co-morbidities, as compared to usually prescribed low-calorie diet (LCD). For the present study (January 2016-June 2017), 80 patients (20M/60F, mean age 37.8 ± 6.1years; excess weight 56 ± 10kg; mean BMI 37.2 ± 3.8kg/m2) underwent Orbera positioning. After 4months, they were randomized into two groups according to the type of treatment: group A (Bioenterics intragastric balloon - Orbera + VLCKD) (n = 40), and group B (Orbera + LCD) (n = 40). All patients completed the study with good adherence to diet therapy treatment allocation. After the 6-month treatment period, at time of Orbera removal, mean weight loss was 19kg and 12kg in groups A and B respectively (p < 0.05). Mean BMI was 28.9 ± 2.8 and 31.6 ± 3.1kg/m2 (p < 0.05), and %EWL was 33.1 ± 3.3 and 21.1 ± 2.9 (p < 0.05) in groups A and B respectively. During the last 2months in group A, the mean weight loss was 8kg, while in Group B, the main weight loss was 3kg (p < 0.001). The VLCKD treatment induced a more significant reduction of major comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome. This study clearly indicates the efficacy of the prescription of very low-calorie ketogenic diet improving the efficacy of intragastric balloon positioning.