title: Prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in bariatric patients.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
authors.forename: Seok Yee
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.forename: Nazy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zarshenas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D006710:Homocysteine; D014807:Vitamin D; D005293:Ferritins; D005492:Folic Acid; D007501:Iron