Intragastric Balloon Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy: Baseline Characteristics and Comorbidity Prevalence in a Nigerian Cohort.

Abstract

Background: Data describing baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and obesity-related comorbidities among patients seeking bariatric interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We describe demographics, obesity class, procedure selection, and comorbidity prevalence among patients undergoing intragastric balloon (IGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) at a private center in Nigeria.

Materials and methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected electronic records for adults (≥18 years) who underwent IGB (n = 113) or SG (n = 55) between January 2023 and January 2025 was performed. Data on demographics, anthropometrics, obesity class, and comorbidities were extracted. Group comparisons used χ ² for categorical and t-tests or Mann-Whitney U for continuous variables; with the significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: A total of 168 patients (92.3% female) were included; mean age 35.4 ± 9.4 years. SG patients presented with higher mean body mass index (SG: 43.1 ± 6.8; IGB: 39.3 ± 7.9 kg/m²; P = 0.003) and weight (SG: 122.8 ± 19.9 kg; IGB: 111.7 ± 26.0 kg; P = 0.006). Higher obesity classes (IV-V) were more frequent in SG (38.2% combined) than IGB (18.5% combined; P = 0.013). Overall, 47.0% had ≥1 comorbidity; the prevalence was higher in SG (56.4% vs 42.5%; P = 0.09). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (28.6%), and male patients (n = 13) carried a disproportionate comorbidity burden (≥1 comorbidity 84.6% vs 43.9% in females; P = 0.01) and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Conclusions: Bariatric interventions in Nigeria are predominantly sought by younger women. Patients opting for SG had significantly greater obesity severity and tended towards higher comorbidity rates. Men were underrepresented but had markedly higher comorbidity burden when presenting for care. These findings highlight gender disparities, procedure selection patterns, and the need for broader awareness and access to metabolic and bariatric services in Nigeria.