Journal Article

Prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in bariatric patients

Jorgensen, John, Zarshenas, Nazy, Toh, Seok Yee

2009

Overview

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in patients who present for bariatric surgery, assess nutritional status after surgery, and compare these with preoperative levels. A retrospective study was conducted to identify preoperative and 1-year postoperative nutrition deficiencies in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The screening included serum ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B 12, homocysteine, folate, red blood cell folate, and hemoglobin. Results were available for 232 patients preoperatively and 149 patients postoperatively. Two-tailed χ 2 tests and paired-sample t tests were used. Preoperatively, vitamin D deficiency was noted at 57%. The prevalence of abnormalities 1 year after roux-en-Y gastric bypass was higher compared with preoperative levels ( P < .05). After surgery, anemia was detected in 17%, elevated homocysteine levels (women only) in 29%, low ferritin in 15%, low vitamin B 12 in 11%, and low RBC folate in 12%. Mean hemoglobin, ferritin, and RBC folate levels deteriorated significantly but remained well within normal ranges. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiencies decreased, but not significantly. In sleeve gastrectomy patients, mean ferritin levels decreased ( P < .05), without any patient developing a deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is common among morbidly obese patients seeking bariatric surgery. Because the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies persists or worsens postoperatively, routine nutrition screening, recommendation of appropriate supplements, and monitoring adherence are imperative in this population.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,[New York]: Elsevier Science Inc,Elsevier,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Adult / Aged / anemia / anemia (disease) / Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - blood / Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - epidemiology / Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - etiology / Bariatric Surgery / Biological and medical sciences / blood / blood chemistry / Body mass index / Chi-Square Distribution / complications / deficiency / Deficiency Diseases / Deficiency Diseases - blood / Deficiency Diseases - epidemiology / Deficiency Diseases - etiology / disease incidence / disease prevalence / epidemiology / erythrocytes / etiology / Feeding. Feeding behavior / Female / ferritin / Ferritins / Ferritins - blood / folic acid / Folic Acid - blood / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Gastric banding / Gastroenterology and Hepatology / hemoglobin / Hemoglobins / Hemoglobins - metabolism / homocysteine / Homocysteine - blood / Humans / Iron / Iron - blood / Iron - deficiency / Male / metabolism / Middle Aged / nutrient deficiencies / Nutrient deficiency / Nutrient status / Nutrition / Nutrition assessment / Nutritional status / Obesity / Obesity, Morbid / Obesity, Morbid - complications / Obesity, Morbid - surgery / patients / Postoperative Complications / Postoperative Complications - blood / Postoperative Complications - epidemiology / Prevalence / Roux-en-Y gastric bypass / Sex Factors / Sleeve gastrectomy / surgery / Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems / Vitamin B Deficiency / Vitamin B Deficiency - blood / Vitamin B Deficiency - epidemiology / Vitamin B Deficiency - etiology / vitamin B12 / Vitamin D / Vitamin D - blood / Vitamin D Deficiency / Vitamin D Deficiency - blood / Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology / Vitamin D Deficiency - etiology / vitamin-mineral supplements / Young Adult