Long Term Outcomes of Bariatric Patients Treated With Surgery or Endoscopy

GERD is a prevalent condition worldwide, estimated to be around 20-30 % in North America. Obesity is rapidly increasing with an estimated prevalence of 66% in the adult population in the United States. GERD symptoms are common in the obese population with data showing weekly GERD symptoms in 34.6% and erosive esophagitis 26.9% in people with BMI > 30 Kg/m2.

Presently, bariatric procedures are the only sustainable method to address morbid obesity and its resulting comorbidities. There are endoscopic and surgical bariatric procedures. The natural history of GERD symptoms in this population after undergoing a bariatric treatment is scarce or conflicting. Moreover, silent or asymptomatic GERD prevalence has not been well established preoperatively. Evaluation and documentation of GERD may potentially change the planned bariatric procedure and avoid unnecessary additional surgeries or procedures to address symptomatic post-operative GERD.

The investigators hypothesized that GERD is more prevalent in patients undergoing surgical bariatric procedures, specifically laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). This multi-center, prospective, cohort study can potentially clarify current debatable data, based mostly on retrospective studies, and can help clinicians to select the most appropriate bariatric treatment for the patients. Most importantly, by selecting the best approach based on preoperative GERD studies it could prevent long term complications of GERD and further unnecessary procedures for the bariatric patient.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2
• Patients scheduled to undergo a bariatric weight loss procedure (endoscopic or surgical)
• Patients older than 18 years and younger than 75 years of age at time of consent
• Patients able to provide written informed consent on the Institutional review board (IRB) approved informed consent form
• Patients willing and able to comply with study requirements for follow-up

Exclusion criteria

• Any patient with BMI < 30 Kg/m2
• Patients treated with intragastric balloons.
• Pre-existing esophageal stenosis/stricture preventing advancement of an endoscope during screening/baseline Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Esophageal, gastric or duodenal malignancy
• Severe medical comorbidities precluding endoscopy, or limiting life expectancy to less than 2 years in the judgment of the endoscopist
• Uncontrolled coagulopathy or inability to be off anticoagulation or anti-platelet medication (ASA, Plavix) for 1 week prior to and 2 weeks after each endoscopy
• Active fungal esophagitis
• Known portal hypertension, visible esophageal or gastric varices, or history of esophageal varices
• General poor health, multiple co-morbidities placing the patient at risk, or otherwise unsuitable for trial participation
• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during period of study participation
• Patient refuses or is unable to provide written informed consent
• Prior bariatric treatment procedure
• Prior surgical or endoscopic anti-reflux procedure