Here’s what you should know.
1. Researchers presented a study on the effectiveness of the system at Digestive Disease Week. Shelby Sullivan, MD, studied the safety and efficacy of the system in 366 obese men and women. She found 64.3 percent of the treated recipients and 32 percent of the controls had a 5 percent reduction in body weight.
2. The balloons were swallowed as a capsule in three stages, and did not require endoscopic placement.
They filled with nitrogen and then removed after 24 weeks.
3. Researchers found the treatment improved systolic blood pressure and the levels of glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Those changes were not present in the control group.
4. In both groups, nearly 90 percent of the patients reported mild to moderate adverse events including: abdominal cramping and nausea associated with the capsules.
5. Dr. Sullivan consulted for and received research funding from Obalon.
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