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Novel Alternatives for Treating Obesity
Novel Alternatives for Treating Obesity
Obesity can lead to serious comorbid conditions—such as high blood pressure, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and high cholesterol—and is associated with certain cancers. Diet and exercise are essential to treating obesity, but these traditional lifestyle interventions typically result in only 1-3% total body weight loss. Meanwhile, only 1-2% of patients who are eligible for bariatric surgery undergo it, whether because of the potential for adverse events, patient preference, or other reasons. Consequently, there is a tremendous need for other treatment options to fill the gap between lifestyle interventions and surgery.
Thomas R. McCarty, MD
Above: a slideshow of Dr. McCarty's research
Thomas R. McCarty, MD, MPH, is investigating endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) as a potential solution. EBMTs comprise a range of minimally invasive treatments—including novel bariatric endoscopy procedures such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)—that are “designed to treat the downstream consequences of obesity, along with obesity itself,” Dr. McCarty explains. Dr. McCarty’s recent studies have found that bariatric endoscopy interventions are more efficacious than traditional lifestyle interventions—with 15-20% total body weight loss—but safer than bariatric surgery. Thus, EBMTs can provide therapeutic options for patients who are not surgical candidates or who prefer to avoid surgery. Endoscopic therapies can also serve as an early intervention for patients who are already developing obesity-related comorbidities. “We can intervene early with an effective therapy,” says Dr. McCarty, “and help these patients before they develop serious conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.” These minimally invasive interventions are most effective when integrated into a multidisciplinary setting that combines endocrinology, gastroenterology, and bariatric surgery to provide patients with comprehensive, holistic care.