Investigating the Prevalence of Copper and Zinc Abnormalities in Patients Pre and Post bariatric Surgery-an Australian Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery predisposes patients to nutritional deficiencies. There are limited studies on zinc and copper abnormalities in this cohort. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of these abnormalities in a cohort of Australian bariatric patients. Inflammatory markers, adherence to multivitamin supplementation (MVS) and the presence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were also investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was collected on all patients who attended a single clinic in Sydney, Australia, from August 2020 to August 2021. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 231 patients (76.2% female; mean pre-operative body mass index of 43.4 ± 7.1 kg/m2), most of whom underwent sleeve gastrectomy (78.8%). Data were collected preoperatively and then at ≤ 6 months, 1 and > 2 years postoperatively. Prior to surgery, low levels of zinc (2.1%) and copper (0.7%) were rare, but elevated copper levels were common (16.7%) and potentially related to an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (47.7%). Following surgery at > 2 years, the mean total weight loss (TWL) was 33.5 ± 12.4. CRP levels improved over time. Post operatively, low zinc (2.7-3.6%) and copper (1.5%) levels were rare. Patients with low levels in zinc and copper were a higher-risk group and generally exhibited GI symptoms, despite taking MVS. CONCLUSION: In the initial post-operative stages and with good adherence to MVS containing copper and zinc, abnormalities may not be a concern. Patients with GI symptoms appear to be at higher risk of abnormalities; increasing awareness, thorough screening, and more comprehensive supplementation are recommended.

Investigating the prevalence of nutritional abnormalities in patients prior to and following bariatric surgery.

AIMS: Bariatric surgery remains an effective treatment for the condition of obesity. However it predisposes patients to nutritional deficiencies and related complications. The aim of this study was to identify nutritional abnormalities, weight loss, adherence to supplements, and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a cohort of bariatric surgical patients. METHODS: An analysis of the electronic medical records of patients attending a multidisciplinary private clinic in Sydney, Australia from August 2020 to August 2021 was conducted. Data on anthropometric measures, nutritional indices, adherence to supplements and gastrointestinal symptoms preoperatively and then at ≤6 months, 1 and 2 years or more postoperatively were collected. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients were included in the study. The majority of patients were female (76.2%), with a sleeve gastrectomy (78.8%). Average preoperative BMI was 43.4 ± 7.1 kg/m2 . Weight loss ≥2 years postsurgery was 33.5 ± 12.4 kg. The most common abnormalities preoperatively were: C-reactive protein (47.7%), vitamin D (39%), B12 (31%), parathyroid hormone (27.6%) and ferritin (12.7%). Vitamin B12 (23.2%), parathyroid hormone (23%), vitamin D (17.7%) and ferritin (15.9%) remained common abnormalities postoperatively. Adherence to multivitamins was 90% in the first year following surgery, declining to 77% at ≥2 years. Gastrointestinal symptoms were predominantly present in the initial stages following surgery, manifesting thiamin deficiency in 6.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite achieving durable weight loss, nutritional and related abnormalities remain an ongoing challenge for bariatric surgery. Adherence to nutrient supplements, gastrointestinal symptoms and related complications are important considerations in addressing the problem.

Changes in Anthropometric Measures, Nutritional Indices and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Following One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) Compared with Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity with new procedures emerging. However, despite comparable weight loss and improvements in metabolic outcomes, research on nutritional and gastrointestinal symptoms remains limited. Here we compare clinical data on weight, nutritional disorders and gastrointestinal symptoms of patients before and following one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric Bypass (RYGB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, data on anthropometry, nutritional indices, dietary intake and gastrointestinal symptoms were retrieved in cohorts of patients up to 2 years following OAGB and RYGB. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients had either a RYGB (28) or an OAGB (45), with 71% seeking these as a revisional procedure. Significant and higher weight loss was observed in the OAGB cohort at 1 year (%TWL 33.0 ± 8.5 vs. 26.6 ± 12.4), albeit comparable at 2 years postoperatively (%TWL 29.0 ± 11.1 vs. 34.1 ± 11.2). Disorders such as vitamin D, active B12, folate, homocystein (Hcy) and hyperparathyroidism were present following both surgeries. Levels of vitamin D, ferritin and total protein significantly worsened over time. Gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhoea, steatorrhoea and reflux were higher in the OAGB cohort while the RYGB cohort reported more dumping syndrome (DS). CONCLUSION: Significant and similar weight loss results are seen following both OAGB and RYGB. Nutritional disorders were common in both cohorts and increased over time. However, the OAGB patients reported more gastrointestinal side effects, which may contribute to poor quality of life and nutritional consequences. Prospective and longer-term studies investigating the nutritional and gastrointestinal health of patients undergoing OAGB is recommended.

The Relationship Between Bariatric Surgery and Diet Quality: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. These procedures change the gastrointestinal system with the aim of reducing dietary intake. Improving diet quality is essential in maintaining nutritional health and achieving long-term benefits from the surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between bariatric surgery and diet quality at least 1 year after surgery. METHODS: A systematic search of five databases was conducted. Studies were included that reported diet quality, eating pattern, or quality of eating in adult patients who had undergone laparoscopic-adjusted gastric banding (LAGB), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) procedures. Data was extracted to determine the relationship between having had bariatric surgery and subsequent diet quality. RESULTS: A total of 34 study articles (described in 36 articles) met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were observational in nature and showed a reduction in energy intake following surgery, as well as inadequate intakes of micronutrients and protein, and an excessive intake of fats. There was evidence of nutrient imbalances, suboptimal compliance with multivitamin and mineral supplementation, and limited follow-up of patients. CONCLUSION: The current evidence base suggests that despite being effective in reducing energy intake, bariatric surgery can result in unbalanced diets, inadequate micronutrient and protein intakes, and excessive intakes of fats. In combination with suboptimal adherence to multivitamin and mineral supplementation, this may contribute to nutritional deficiencies and weight regain. There is a need for high-quality nutrition studies, to identify optimal dietary compositions following bariatric surgery.

Investigating Nutritional Deficiencies in a Group of Patients 3 Years Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a single-stage procedure has shown to be effective in achieving significant weight loss and resolving obesity-related co-morbidities. However, its nutrition consequences have not been extensively explored. This study aims to investigate weight loss and evolution of nutritional deficiencies in a group of patients 3 years post LSG. METHODS: Retrospective data of a group of patients, 3 years following LSG as a stand-alone procedure was collected. Data included anthropometry, nutritional markers (hemoglobin, iron studies, folate, calcium, iPTH, vitamins D, and B12), and compliancy with supplementations. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients (male/female; 28:63), aged 51.9 ± 11.4 years with a BMI of 42.8 ± 6.1 kg/m2 were identified to be 3 years post LSG. Percentage of weight loss at 1 and 3 years post-operatively was 29.8 ± 7.0 and 25.9 ± 8.8 %, respectively. Pre-operatively, the abnormalities included low hemoglobin (4 %), ferritin (6 %), vitamin B12 (1 %), vitamin D (46 %), and elevated iPTH (25 %). At 3 years post-operatively, the abnormal laboratory values included low hemoglobin (14 % females, P = 0.021), ferritin (24 %, P = 0.011), vitamin D (20 %, P = 0.018), and elevated iPTH (17 %, P = 0.010). Compliancy with multivitamin supplementation was noted in 66 % of patients. CONCLUSION: In these patients, LSG resulted in pronounced weight loss at 1 year post-operatively, and most of this was maintained at 3 years. Nutritional deficiencies are prevalent among patients prior to bariatric surgery. These deficiencies may persist or exacerbate post-operatively. Routine nutrition monitoring and supplementations are essential to prevent and treat these deficiencies.

Food tolerance and diet quality following adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of food tolerance (if any) on diet quality several years post-surgery remain unclear. Our study aimed to assess food tolerance and diet quality after three bariatric procedures; adjustable gastric banding (AGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), 2â??4 years post-surgery. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study assessed weight loss, food tolerance and diet quality in 130 subjects (14 obese pre-surgical controls, 13 AGB, 62 SG and 41 RYGBP). Inclusion criteria selected patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008, at a single bariatric clinic. Non-parametric tests (Kruksalâ??Wallis and Mannâ??Whitney) along with Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis were used. RESULTS: Superior food tolerance was reported by the control (24.5), SG (24.0) and RYGBP (22.0) groups, compared with the AGB group (15.5; P < 0.001). The control and AGB groups consumed significantly more high-calorie extra foods (9.2 and 7.7 daily serves respectively) compared with the SG (3.4 serves) and RYGBP (4.0 serves) groups. There were several significant correlations between food tolerance and dietary intake including breads and cereals and meat and meat alternatives. CONCLUSION: The control and AGB groups consumed significantly more high-calorie extra foods, a result that was paralleled by poor weight loss and food tolerance outcomes for the AGB group. A significant positive relationship between food tolerance and diet quality was established. Poor food tolerance and thus compromised diet quality need to be considered as post-surgical complications of the AGB procedure.

Food tolerance and gastrointestinal quality of life following three bariatric procedures: adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate and compare food tolerance and gastrointestinal quality of life following three bariatric procedures approximately 2 to 4 years post-surgery: adjustable gastric banding (AGB), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). A secondary aim was to test for a relationship between food tolerance and gastrointestinal quality of life. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, participants (including pre-surgery controls) completed two questionnaires: a food tolerance questionnaire (n = 129) and a Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) (n = 119). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed, and significance was adjusted using a post-hoc Bonferroni correction. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationship between food tolerance and GIQLI scores. RESULTS: Food tolerance: the control and SG groups produced the highest median scores (24.5 and 24.0, respectively), indicating superior food tolerance. The median score of the AGB group was significantly lower than all other groups (15.5, P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal quality of life: the SG group ranked superior, producing the highest median score (120.5), which was significantly greater than the AGB (94.0, P = 0.005) and control groups (96.0, P = 0.006). GIQLI scores correlated significantly with food tolerance scores (r = 0.522, P < 0.01). The median excess weight loss was similar in the SG and RYGBP groups (76.3% and 76.5%), with the AGB group significantly lower at 38.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Food tolerance and gastrointestinal quality of life, 2 to 4 years post-surgery are ostensibly best after SG, followed closely by RYGBP. AGB appears the least effective across these parameters. A significant positive relationship between food tolerance and gastrointestinal quality of life was confirmed.

Prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in bariatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: 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 chi(2) tests and paired-sample t tests were used. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.