Multicenter Endoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (ESG) Trial (MERIT Trial)

NCT ID: NCT03406975

Last Updated: 2022-10-18

Study Results

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

208 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-12-20

Study Completion Date

2021-10-15

Brief Summary

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Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is an endoscopic minimally invasive weight loss procedure where a commercially available, FDA approved, full-thickness endoscopic suturing device (Overstitch; Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, TX) is used to reduce the stomach volume by 80% through the creation of a restrictive endoscopic sleeve. This is accomplished by a series of endoscopically placed full-thickness sutures through the gastric wall, extending from the antrum to the gastroesophageal junction.

Up to 200 participants at 9 locations in the United States will participate in this study.

The ESG procedure has been performed clinically since 2013 in the United States. The investigators are completing this study to compare how effective the ESG is for achieving long-term weight loss when compared to lifestyle modification only, as well as to evaluate the long-term safety and durability of the procedure and its impact on quality of life. Results of this research may help support having this procedure covered by health insurance plans for future patients.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Obesity Hypertension Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Control Group: Lifestyle Modification

Participants randomized to the control group (lifestyle modification only) in Year 1 will undergo a standard moderate intensity life-style intervention during the first 12 months of participation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Lifestyle Intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard low-calorie diet plan and moderate intensity life-style intervention of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for 12 months.

Treatment Group: Overstitch ESG Procedure

Participants randomized to the treatment group will proceed to have the Overstitch Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) at the start of Year 1 and will undergo a standard moderate intensity life-style intervention during the first 12 months of participation. All patients undergoing ESG will go on a 6 weeks transitional diet.ESG patients will undergo a standard moderate intensity life-style intervention administered over 15 12 visits in the first year after ESG. ESG patients who have not achieved \>25% EWL at the end of Year 1 will undergo a repeat upper endoscopy at 52 to 60 weeks to assess the durability of the plications. Patients will continue follow-up with a modified lifestyle intervention program administered over 6 visits in the second year

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Overstitch Endoscopic Suture System

Intervention Type DEVICE

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), an endoscopic minimally-invasive weight loss procedure, utilizing a suturing device to reduce the stomach volume by 80% through the creation of sleeve. This is accomplished by a series of endoscopically placed stitches through the stomach wall.

Lifestyle Intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard low-calorie diet plan and moderate intensity life-style intervention of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for 12 months.

Crossover Group: Lifestyle Intervention to ESG Procedure

Control group participants (lifestyle modification only) who were compliant with at least 75% of visits in Year 1, have not achieved ≥25% EWL or have a BMI \>30 measured at the week 52 visit, and have no new psychosocial contraindications as deemed by the treatment team to the procedure will cross over to receive the Overstitch ESG in Year 2, in addition to the standard moderate intensity lifestyle intervention program of 12 months.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Overstitch Endoscopic Suture System

Intervention Type DEVICE

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), an endoscopic minimally-invasive weight loss procedure, utilizing a suturing device to reduce the stomach volume by 80% through the creation of sleeve. This is accomplished by a series of endoscopically placed stitches through the stomach wall.

Lifestyle Intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard low-calorie diet plan and moderate intensity life-style intervention of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for 12 months.

Interventions

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Overstitch Endoscopic Suture System

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), an endoscopic minimally-invasive weight loss procedure, utilizing a suturing device to reduce the stomach volume by 80% through the creation of sleeve. This is accomplished by a series of endoscopically placed stitches through the stomach wall.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Lifestyle Intervention

Standard low-calorie diet plan and moderate intensity life-style intervention of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for 12 months.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Age 21-65
2. BMI ≥ 30 and ≤40 kg/m²
3. Willingness to comply with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions required by the procedure
4. History of failure with non-surgical weight-loss methods
5. Willingness to follow protocol requirements, including signed informed consent, routine follow-up schedule, completing laboratory tests, and completing diet counseling
6. Residing within a reasonable distance from the investigator's office and able to travel to the investigator to complete all routine follow- up visits
7. Ability to give informed consent
8. Women of childbearing potential (i.e., not post-menopausal or surgically sterilized) must agree to use adequate birth control methods
9. \*\*\*There will be a quota for at least a) 50 patients with hypertension on one or more anti-hypertensive medication, b) 50 patients with type II diabetes mellitus on oral agents only with HgA1c ≤ 9, and thus the cohort of 200 patients will be stratified into three groups (Obesity, Obesity HTH, Obesity DM) and block randomized. No more than 50 participants without comorbidities will be enrolled in the trial.

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of foregut or gastrointestinal (GI) surgery (except uncomplicated cholecystectomy or appendectomy)
2. Prior gastrointestinal surgery with sequelae, i.e. obstruction, and/or adhesive peritonitis or known abdominal adhesions.
3. Prior open or laparoscopic bariatric surgery.
4. Prior surgery of any kind on the esophagus, stomach or any type of hiatal hernia surgery.
5. Any inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract including esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulceration, cancer or specific inflammation such as Crohn's disease.
6. Potential upper gastrointestinal bleeding conditions such as esophageal or gastric varices, congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasis, or other congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract such as atresias or stenoses.
7. A gastric mass or gastric polyps \> 1 cm in size.
8. A hiatal hernia \> 4cm of axial displacement of the z-line above the diaphragm or severe or intractable gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms.
9. A structural abnormality in the esophagus or pharynx such as a stricture or diverticulum that could impede passage of the endoscope.
10. Achalasia or any other severe esophageal motility disorder
11. Severe coagulopathy.
12. Insulin-dependent diabetes (either Type 1 or Type 2) or a significant likelihood of requiring insulin treatment in the following 12 months or a HgbA1C \>= 9.
13. Subjects with any serious health condition unrelated to their weight that would increase the risk of endoscopy
14. Chronic abdominal pain
15. Motility disorders of the GI tract such as gross esophageal motility disorders, gastroparesis or intractable constipation
16. Hepatic insufficiency or cirrhosis
17. Use of an intragastric device prior to this study due to the increased thickness of the stomach wall preventing effective suturing.
18. Active psychological issues preventing participation in a life-style modification program as determined by a psychologist
19. Patients unwilling to participate in an established medically-supervised diet and behavior modification program, with routine medical follow-up.
20. Patients receiving daily prescribed treatment with high dose aspirin (\> 80mg daily), anti-inflammatory agents, anticoagulants or other gastric irritants.
21. Patients who are unable or unwilling to take prescribed proton pump inhibitor medication
22. Patients who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
23. Subjects with Severe cardiopulmonary disease or other serious organic disease which might include known history of coronary artery disease, Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, poorly-controlled hypertension, required use of NSAIDs
24. Subjects taking medications on specified hourly intervals that may be affected by changes to gastric emptying, such as anti-seizure or anti-arrhythmic medications
25. Subjects who are taking corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and narcotics
26. Subjects who are taking diet pills
27. Symptomatic congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia or unstable coronary artery disease.
28. Pre-existing respiratory disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia or cancer.
29. Diagnosis of autoimmune connective tissue disorder (e.g. lupus, erythematous, scleroderma) or immunocompromised.
30. Specific diagnosed genetic disorder such as Prader Willi syndrome.
31. Eating disorders including night eating syndrome (NES), bulimia, binge eating disorder, or compulsive overeating
32. Known history of endocrine disorders affecting weight such as uncontrolled hypothyroidism.
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Texas

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Johns Hopkins University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Brigham and Women's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Endeavor Health

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Chicago

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Orlando Health, Inc.

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Cornell University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Mayo Clinic

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Barham K. Abu Dayyeh, M.D.

Barham Abu Dayyeh, Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Barham K Abu Dayyeh

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Mayo Clinic

Locations

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Orlando Health

Orlando, Florida, United States

Site Status

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status

NorthShore University Health System

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Site Status

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Site Status

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Site Status

Cornell University

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Site Status

University of Texas

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Vargas EJ, Rizk M, Gomez-Villa J, Edwards PK, Jaruvongvanich V, Storm AC, Acosta A, Lake D, Fidler J, Bharucha AE, Camilleri M, Abu Dayyeh BK. Effect of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty on gastric emptying, motility and hormones: a comparative prospective study. Gut. 2023 Jun;72(6):1073-1080. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327816. Epub 2022 Oct 14.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 36241388 (View on PubMed)

Abu Dayyeh BK, Bazerbachi F, Vargas EJ, Sharaiha RZ, Thompson CC, Thaemert BC, Teixeira AF, Chapman CG, Kumbhari V, Ujiki MB, Ahrens J, Day C; MERIT Study Group; Galvao Neto M, Zundel N, Wilson EB. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for treatment of class 1 and 2 obesity (MERIT): a prospective, multicentre, randomised trial. Lancet. 2022 Aug 6;400(10350):441-451. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01280-6. Epub 2022 Jul 28.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 35908555 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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17-007934

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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