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Vitamin B Complex Deficiency After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy—a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Bariatric surgery, although an effective method, still has complications, like nutritional deficiencies. Our aim was to summarize the evidence on the frequency of complex B vitamin deficiencies in studies comparing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We included 25 studies for qualitative synthesis and 21 studies for quantitative synthesis. Relevant data was extracted, including proportion of patients with deficiency and mean serum vitamin values in 3 different timeframes. B12 and folate were the most prevalent deficiencies. B12 deficiency was more common after RYGB and folate serum mean levels were higher after RYGB. SG causes less nutrient deficiency and is therefore a better technique from this point of view. More studies are needed on B2, B3, and B6 vitamins to draw better conclusions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge all members of the Obesity Integrated Responsibility Unit (CRI-O) group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal - Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Rita Nunes, Hugo Santos-Sousa, Sofia Vieira, Jorge Nogueiro, André Pereira, Silvestre Carneiro & André Costa-Pinho

  2. Obesity Integrated Responsibility Unit (CRI-O), São João University Medical Center, Porto, Portugal - Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Hugo Santos-Sousa, André Costa-Pinho, Eduardo Lima-da-Costa & John Preto

  3. Surgery Department, São João University Medical Center, Porto, Portugal - Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Jorge Nogueiro, André Pereira & Silvestre Carneiro

  4. Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Lisbon, Portugal – Edifício Egas Moniz, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal

    Raquel Bouça-Machado

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  1. Rita Nunes
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Correspondence to Hugo Santos-Sousa.

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Key Points

• Bariatric surgery is associated with vitamin deficiency.

• RYGB is associated with higher B12 deficiency and folate serum levels (vs. SG).

• Patients who underwent SG have more vitamin B6 deficiency (vs. SG).

• It is vital to monitor vitamin deficiencies before and after bariatric surgery.

Authors Rita Nunes and Hugo Santos-Sousa have contributed equally to this work and should both be considered first authors.

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Nunes, R., Santos-Sousa, H., Vieira, S. et al. Vitamin B Complex Deficiency After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy—a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. OBES SURG 32, 873–891 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-021-05783-2

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