Swallowable gastric balloon plus liraglutide induces 18.7% weight loss in obesity

Key points to remember:

• Obese adults who received a new gastric balloon therapy followed by liraglutide lost almost 19% of their body weight at 6 months.
• No serious adverse events were reported during the study.

Using a swallowable gastric balloon in conjunction with a GLP-1 receptor agonist results in an average weight loss of about 19% for overweight or obese adults, according to one speaker.

In results of a multicenter study presented at the European Obesity Congress, 181 overweight or obese adults received a swallowable gastric balloon (Elipse, Allurion Technologies) that passes through the body without requiring surgery, followed by liraglutide (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk). At the end of the study, the cohort had lost 99.4% of their excess weight and an average reduction in BMI of 6.4 kg/m² without serious adverse events.

“For all patients treated with the Allurion balloon program when additional weight loss is needed or to maintain weight, the addition of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy is feasible, safe, and effective,” Roberta Ienz, MD, of the Nuova Villa Claudia clinic in Rome, Healio told.

Roberta Ientz

The researchers recruited 181 adults from three obesity centers in different countries (80.1% female; mean BMI, 33.7 kg/m²). All participants received a swallowable gastric balloon at baseline. Between 4 and 16 weeks after receiving the balloon, liraglutide therapy was added to the treatment. Adults were followed for at least 6 months. Body weight loss, percentage of total body weight lost, percentage excess weight loss, BMI loss and adverse events were collected.

Reasons for adding liraglutide to treatment were unsatisfactory weight loss with the gastric balloon alone for 52.6% of the cohort, reduced balloon-induced satiety for 29%, a wish to further increase weight loss for 16% and diabetes control for 2.4%. %. The mean duration of liraglutide treatment was 4.1 months.

From baseline to 4 months, the cohort lost an average of 13.9% total body weight and 74.3% excess weight. The mean reduction in BMI at 4 months was 4.5 kg/m². From the start to the end of treatment with liraglutide, participants lost an average of 18.7% of total body weight, 99.4% of excess weight and had an average reduction in BMI of 6.4 kg/m².

“We found it surprising how two treatments with the same mechanism of action complement each other so well when combined at the right time,” Ienca said. “Results showed that patients in the study achieved an average total body weight loss of almost 19% after approximately 8 months. The study concluded that the combination therapy was safe and effective and may further improve outcomes and durability of weight loss.

Most balloon-related adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, were managed with medication. Of the cohort, 1.1% had intolerance requiring gastric balloon removal, 0.5% reported gastric dilatation, and 0.5% early balloon deflation. Adverse events requiring discontinuation of liraglutide were tachycardia or chest pain in 1.1% of the cohort and gastrointestinal symptoms in 1.1%.

Ienca said more research is needed to determine if the weight loss achieved in the study can be sustained over the long term.

ADD A SUBJECT TO EMAIL ALERTS

Receive an email when new articles are published on

Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are published on .

” data-action=”subscribe”> Subscribe

We have not been able to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this problem, please contact [email protected].

Return to Healio.

European Obesity Congress