title: Impact on obesity-related illnesses and quality of life following intragastric balloon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of intragastric balloon (IGB) on obesity-related illnesses and quality of life (QOL) has not been previously investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and nineteen consecutive obese patients (86 females; mean age 37.8; mean body weight (BW) 103.7 +/- 24.1 kg; mean BMI 38.4 +/- 8.0 kg/m(2)) who underwent IGB were evaluated for improvement on obesity-related illnesses and QOL after weight reduction in a multidisciplinary university referral center. Bioenterics Intragastric balloon (BIB system was employed in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean treatment period was 169.9 +/- 34.8 days. Mean BW, BMI, and excess body weight loss were 12.4 +/- 6.9 kg, 4.6 +/- 2.7 kg/m(2), and 45.1 +/- 35.3%. Mean waist circumference and biceps fold and triceps fold loss were 10.5 +/- 8.3, 9.8 +/- 8.5, and 8.7 +/- 7.4 cm respectively. Metabolic syndrome was decreased from 42.9% to 15.1% after IGB (p < 0.0005). Improvement of obesity-related illnesses were significant in fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, and blood pressure (p < 0.005).In 28 diabetes patients, HBA1C level was significantly decreased as compared to baseline (7.4 vs. 5.8%; p < 0.0005). The QOL of patients was significantly improved after IGB (p < 0.05). No serious complication related to IGB was observed. Four patients (3.3%) had intolerance and required early removal of balloon. Thirty-one patients (26%) received further bariatric surgery after IGB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IGB produces meaningful weight loss and significantly improves obesity-related illnesses and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. wilfredmui@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Wilfred Lik-Man
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Mui
authors.forename: Enders Kwok-Wai
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Bonnie Yuk-San
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Tsung
authors.forename: Chuen Hing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Man Yee
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Yung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss