ASGE Annual Postgraduate Course: Clinical Challenges and Real-Time Decision Making in GI Endoscopy (On-demand) | May 2023-Where do Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies Fit into the Obesity Treatment Paradigm

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Steve Edmundowitz, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, discusses the role of endoscopic bariatric therapies in the treatment of obesity. He highlights the increasing prevalence of obesity as a global pandemic and the need for effective therapies. Despite efforts to combat obesity, the incidence continues to rise. Edmundowitz emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to obesity treatment, including lifestyle therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgical interventions. He discusses the limitations and potential complications of surgical therapies, such as gastric bands and sleeve gastrectomy, and the relatively low number of patients able to undergo surgery.<br /><br />Edmundowitz then dives into the concept of endoscopic bariatric therapies, which involve modifying the gastrointestinal tract through flexible endoscopic procedures. He mentions various FDA-approved therapies in this category, including intragastric balloons and tissue apposition devices. He discusses the challenges associated with endoscopic bariatric therapies, such as difficulties obtaining insurance coverage and a lack of physician training. He also acknowledges the limited long-term data on the efficacy of these therapies compared to other treatments. <br /><br />Edmundowitz presents the results of studies on different endoscopic bariatric therapies, highlighting their potential benefits and the need for further research. He argues that these therapies can serve as alternatives to lifestyle therapy or as additional options for patients who fail to respond to other treatments. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of personalized patient care and a multidisciplinary approach in determining the most suitable therapy for each individual. Overall, he expresses optimism about the future of endoscopic bariatric therapies in the management of obesity.

Asset Subtitle

Steve Edmundowicz, MD, MASGE

Keywords

endoscopic bariatric therapies

obesity treatment

global pandemic

lifestyle therapy

pharmacotherapy

surgical interventions