Metabolic Endoscopy: Should Gastroenterologists Be Treating Type 2 Diabetes?

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most significant and fast-growing health challenges of the 21st century. Despite the variety of available glucose-lowering agents, many patients do not attain or maintain adequate glycaemic control. Bariatric surgery demonstrates a profound anti-diabetic effect, which is almost immediate and weight-loss independent. The significant improvement in diabetes after bariatric surgery together with the endoscopic accessibility of the duodenum has led to the development of new metabolic endoscopic procedures that capitalise on the importance of the proximal small bowel in glycaemic control. Clinical trials have shown a clear efficacy signal, and now, several devices are undergoing evaluation as primary T2D treatments. Establishing where these procedures fit into the treatment algorithms for T2D and how they can be combined with modern pharmacotherapies is needed in a rapidly changing landscape. Ultimately, through metabolic endoscopy, gastroenterologists are on the cusp of providing safe and effective treatments for the multidisciplinary management of T2D.