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Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures and the Elderly

  • Geriatrics (A Afzali and S Katz, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent disease among patients greater than age 65. Bariatric procedures offer a promising route to treat obesity in this population. Endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT) is a promising technique with less risk than surgery. Minimal data exist on the role of EBT in the elderly population. We aim to summarize available literature to make recommendations on procedural considerations and discuss areas for further development.

Recent findings

Existing EBT has largely been studied in a middle-aged population with very few patients above age 65 in pivotal trials. There are several comorbidities frequently encountered in the population evaluated for these procedures, and such conditions warrant a multidisciplinary approach to planning. Specific pre-, intra-, and post-procedure considerations should be given to the elderly population undergoing EBT to optimize the results of the procedure.

Summary

EBT in the elderly population requires more considerations and interdisciplinary planning than procedures in younger counterparts. Given the burden of obesity in this population, there is room for the development of this field, which has the potential to offer life-altering treatment for many.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Divya Chalikonda & Austin Chiang

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  1. Divya Chalikonda
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  2. Austin Chiang
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Correspondence to Austin Chiang.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Conflict of interest

Divya Chalikonda declares that she has no conflict of interest. Austin Chiang: Boston Scientific (consulting), Olympus (consulting), and Medtronic (consulting).

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Chalikonda, D., Chiang, A. Endoscopic Bariatric Procedures and the Elderly. Curr Treat Options Gastro 20, 133–143 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-022-00376-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-022-00376-z

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