Outcomes of intragastric balloon placements in a private practice setting

Intragastric balloons are used as a treatment for obesity. 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 obesity centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of balloon treatment in private practice. This was a retrospective analysis of 6-month weight loss data and balloon-related complications of patients referred to three private centers for obesity treatment. A total of 815 patients (131 males) were referred for balloon treatment (mean age 36.5 years, mean body weight 111.7 kg, mean body mass index [BMI] 38.1 kg/m(2)). The 6-month weight loss data were available for 672 patients. Mean weight loss was 20.9 kg (7.2 BMI units). A total of 372 patients visited the center only once following balloon placement (i. e. for balloon removal), but these patients still achieved a mean weight loss of 19.4 kg (6.6 BMI units). Successful weight loss (i. e. ≥ 10 %) was achieved in 85.0 %. Severe complications consisted of dehydration requiring hospital admission (n = 2; 0.2 %), and intestinal obstruction caused by balloon deflation, which required surgery (n = 2; 0.2 %). A total of 35 deflated balloons (4.3 %) were passed rectally without any adverse events. Severe esophagitis following balloon placement was diagnosed in 12 patients (1.5 %). A total of 53 patients (6.5 %) requested balloon removal during the first month. Nine balloons (1.1 %) were removed for medical reasons. 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 surger

Tropical sprue in Northern India

An account of the clinical and pathological features of 70 cases of tropical sprue occurring in the Delhi area is presented. The syndrome is characterised by chronic diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, barium meal abnormalities and histological alterations in the mucosa of the small intestine. Although the syndrome is generally similar to the coeliac disease and idiopathic steatorrhoea of the West, it differs from it in some respects. It has a short and self-limiting course; the steatorrhoea is generally mild as also are the histological changes. It improves on a good hospital diet and is not specifically influenced by a gluten-free diet. The aetiology and pathogenesis are obscure. The roles of infection and malnutrition are discussed