Outcomes of XXXX in a private practice setting.

@entity1 @entity353 @entity28 @entity2910 @entity661 @entity1321
UNASSIGNED: Background and study aim: Intragastric balloons are used as a treatment for @entity28 . Much of the data collected on balloons has been in the context of clinical trials in academic medical centers or as a bridge to bariatric surgery in @entity28 centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of balloon treatment in private practice. @entity1 and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 6-month @entity353 data and balloon-related complications of @entity1 referred to three private centers for @entity28 treatment. Results: A total of 815 @entity1 (131 males) were referred for balloon treatment (mean age 36.5 years, mean body weight 111.7kg, mean body mass index [BMI] 38.1kg/m(2)). The 6-month @entity353 data were available for 672 @entity1 . Mean @entity353 was 20.9kg (7.2 BMI units). A total of 372 @entity1 visited the center only once following balloon placement (i.e. for balloon removal), but these @entity1 still achieved a mean @entity353 of 19.4kg (6.6 BMI units). Successful @entity353 (i.e. >= 10%) was achieved in 85.0%. Severe complications consisted of dehydration requiring hospital admission (n=2; 0.2%), and @entity1321 caused by @entity661 , which required surgery (n=2; 0.2%). A total of 35 deflated balloons (4.3%) were passed rectally without any adverse events. Severe @entity2910 following balloon placement was diagnosed in 12 @entity1 (1.5%). A total of 53 @entity1 (6.5%) requested balloon removal during the first month. Nine balloons (1.1%) were removed for medical reasons. Conclusion: In the private practice setting, intragastric balloons on their own, without an intensive lifestyle program and supportive consultations, resulted in safe and substantial weight losses, and may fill the therapeutic gap between pharmacotherapy and surgery.
