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Evidence for the Necessity to Systematically Assess Micronutrient Status Prior to Bariatric Surgery

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Abstract

Background

Bariatric surgery has been proven the most effective treatment of morbid obesity, but micronutrient deficiency following bariatric surgery is a major concern. Increasing evidence points to a generally poor micronutrient status in obese subjects.

Methods

We assessed micronutrient status in 232 morbidly obese subjects (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) prior to bariatric surgery. Serum albumin, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, ferritin, hemoglobin, zinc, folate, vitamin B12, 25-OH vitamin D3, and intact parathormone (iPTH) were determined. In a sub-sample of 89 subjects, we additionally assessed copper, selenium, vitamin B1, B3, B6, A, and E levels.

Results

Deficiencies were found in 12.5% of the subjects for albumin, 8.0% for phosphate, 4.7% for magnesium, 6.9% for ferritin, 6.9% for hemoglobin, 24.6% for zinc, 3.4% for folate, and 18.1% for vitamin B12. In addition, 25.4% showed a severe 25-OH vitamin D3 deficiency, which was accompanied by a secondary hyperparathyroidism in 36.6% cases. Prevalence of albumin deficiency (p < 0.007) and of anemia (p < 0.003; in women only) significantly increased with BMI. Of note, 48.7% of the subjects showed at least one of the most prevalent deficiencies, i.e., vitamin B12, zinc and severe 25-OH vitamin D3 deficiency. In the sub-sample, 32.6% showed a selenium, 5.6% a vitamin B3, 2.2% a vitamin B6, and 2.2% a vitamin E deficiency. Copper, vitamin B1, and vitamin A deficiency was found in none of the subjects.

Conclusion

Data indicate a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in morbidly obese subjects. Based on these results, we strongly recommend a systematic assessment of the micronutrient status in all candidates for bariatric surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdisciplinary Obesity Center, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9400, Rorschach, Switzerland

    Barbara Ernst, Martin Thurnheer & Bernd Schultes

  2. Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Luebeck, 23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Sebastian M. Schmid & Bernd Schultes

Authors
  1. Barbara Ernst
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  2. Martin Thurnheer
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  3. Sebastian M. Schmid
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  4. Bernd Schultes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bernd Schultes.

Additional information

The authors have no commercial interest to disclose. The study was financially supported by a grant from Johnson & Johnson. The funder had no role in the study design, analysis and publication of the data.

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Ernst, B., Thurnheer, M., Schmid, S.M. et al. Evidence for the Necessity to Systematically Assess Micronutrient Status Prior to Bariatric Surgery. OBES SURG 19, 66–73 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9545-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9545-4

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