Efficacy of multivitamin support following bariatric surgery in patients with obesity: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery (BS), an effective treatment for severe obesity and its comorbidities, may result in micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies. This monocentric prospective observational study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a specifically designed vitamin/mineral formula (Bariatrifast, BIOITALIA S.r.l., Italy) for preventing and treating micronutrient deficiencies in patients submitted to BS. METHODS: Twenty patients with severe obesity (mean weight and BMI: 123.5 kg (range 88-174) and 43.3 kg/m2 (range 37-54) respectively) underwent BS (10 vertical sleeve gastrectomy VSG, 10 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, RYGB). The mean age was 49.9 years (range 27-68). After a presurgical visit (V0), follow-up visits were performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery (V1-V4). Recorded data included weight, height and BMI. A complete blood count, measurement of ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B12, ionized calcium, 25 OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) were obtained. Following BS, patients started the daily oral multivitamin and mineral supplement. RESULTS: All patients achieved a significant weight loss (mean - 34.7 ± 11.8 kg). No deficiencies of various vitamins/micronutrients were detected during the entire study period. The serum concentrations of vitamin B12, 25-OH Vitamin D and folic acid increased over the follow-up period compared with V0 (mean increase 243 ng/L, 23 µg /L, 8 µg/L, respectively). Compared to RYGB, patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy showed higher levels of 25-OH vitamin D at V2, V3 and V4 (all p < 0.05), and higher levels of Vitamin B12 and folic acid at V4 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Following VSG or RYGB, Bariatrifast administration was associated with normal values of essential micronutrients, and it was well-tolerated without evidence of gastrointestinal side effects. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT06152965.

Binge eating, weight gain and psychosocial adjustment in patients with bipolar disorder.

Binge Eating (BE) is a common eating pattern in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). BE may confer an increased risk for obesity, morbidity, mortality and poorer quality of life. We assessed the presence of BE and its impact on body weight, body image and self-esteem in 50 patients with BD and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. The presence and severity of BE was assessed with the Binge Eating Scale (BES). The Body Image and Self-Esteem Evaluation Scale (B-WISE) was used to assess the psychosocial impact of weight gain. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Nine (18%) patients had a score >27, indicating a likely diagnosis of BE. None of the control subjects had a BES score >17. No association between BES score and the medications was found. Patients had a significantly higher BES score, significantly higher BMI, waist circumference and fasting blood glucose. Although the B-Wise score was higher in the controls, the difference was not statistically significant. This study suggests that BE is prevalent in patients with BD. The presence of BE eating is a predictor of higher BMI, indicating that the disruption of eating behavior may be a pathway to weight gain.