title: Efficacy of First-Time Intragastric Balloon in Weight Loss: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
abstract: The intragastric balloon (IGB) is an adjunctive treatment for obesity. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IGB treatment by reviewing randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  
  A total of 20 RCTs involving 1195 patients were identified. Weight loss results before and after 3 months were analyzed separately. The weight loss results of patients with and without IGB treatment were compared.
  
  
  
  Our meta-analysis calculated the following significant effect sizes: 1.59 and 1.34 kg/m2for overall and 3-month BMI loss, respectively; 14.25 and 11.16 % for overall and >3-month percentage of excess weight loss, respectively; 4.6 and 4.77 kg for overall and 3-month weight loss, respectively; and 2.81, 1.62, and 4.09 % for overall, 3-month, and >3-month percent of weight loss, respectively. A significant effect size was calculated that favored fluid-filled IGBs over air-filled IGBs. Flatulence (8.75 vs. 3.89 %, p = 0.0006), abdominal fullness (6.32 vs. 0.55 %, p = 0.001), abdominal pain (13.86 vs. 7.2 %, p = 0.0001), abdominal discomfort (4.37 vs. 0.55 %, p = 0.006), and gastric ulcer (12.5 vs. 1.2 %, p < 0.0001) were significantly more prevalent among IGB patients than among non-IGB control patients. No mortality was reported from IGB treatment.
  
  
  
  IGB treatment, in addition to lifestyle modification, is an effective short-term modality for weight loss. However, there is not sufficient evidence confirming its safety or long-term efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Department of Surgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Brooklyn, NY, USA. saber6231@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saber
authors.affiliation: Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Department of Surgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shoar
authors.affiliation: Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Department of Surgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mahmoud W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Almadani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Natan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zundel
authors.affiliation: Qatar Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Summit (QIMBSS), Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Mohammed J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alkuwari
authors.affiliation: Qatar Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Summit (QIMBSS), Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Moataz M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bashah
authors.affiliation: Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Raul J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Bariatric surgery; Efficacy; Intra-gastric balloon; Meta-analysis; Systematic review; Weight loss