Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty for Moderate Obesity

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and it is estimated that one quarter of the world's population will be overweight or obese by 2045. Obesity can lead to complications, including cardiovascular damage (myocardial ischemia and stroke), liver damage (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver cancer), diabetes and extra-hepatic cancers. In this context, achievement of a significant long-term weight loss is of paramount importance to ameliorate patient outcome. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity and results in a significant long-term weight loss. However, bariatric surgery is restricted to patients with a BMI >40 kg/m2 or >35 kg/m2 with commodities (hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnoea, NASH). Therefore, the majority of obese patients do not benefit from this procedure. Recent advances in flexible endoluminal endoscopy now provide the tools for transoral endoscopic gastric volume reduction (ESG, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty). The gastric body is reduced by an endoscopic procedure involving suture plications. This minimally invasive method may be a good therapeutic option to obtain a significant weight reduction in patients with moderate obesity or those with severe obesity and no indication for bariatric surgery (BMI between 35 and 40 kg/m2 without commodities). In this context this study aims to identify predictive factors of weight loss following ESG and explore changes of metabolic parameters, metabolomic profiles and gut microbiota profiles. This is a retro-prospective cohort study including patients with moderate obesity undergoing ECG between March 2017 and September 2023. Clinical parameters (weight, high, BMI, weight fluctuations), serum metabolic parameters (standard lipid profile, lipoprotein levels, fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, C-peptide levels, hemoglobin A1c) and liver function test parameters (standard biology, transient elastometry, Fibrotest®, Actitest®, abdominal ultrasound) are systematically collected for all patients before ESG and then at three- and twelve-month post-ESG. Samples of serum, plasma, stools and saliva are also systematically collected for research purpose before ESG and then at three- and twelve-month post-ESG. Each sample is stored at -80°C for subsequent analysis. Metabolomic/lipidomic analysis will be used to quantify metabolite and lipid species in serum/plasma samples. Metagenomic analysis will be used to characterise faecal and salivary microbiota profiles.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• Patients giving their consent for the study
• Body mass index between 28 and 35 kg/m2 with co-morbid condition (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or invalidating joint pain)
• No weigh loss following life-style changes

Exclusion criteria

• Antibiotic treatment during the three previous months
• Patients at risk of gastric cancer requiring regular endoscopic surveillance
• Gastric localization of Crohn disease
• Portal hypertension
• Severe hepatic or renal failure
• Ongoing peptic ulcer
• Severe associated disease
• History of previous bariatric surgery