Body Composition, Serum Sclerostin and Physical Function After Bariatric Surgery: Performance of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Multifrequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

PROMISE: effect of protein supplementation on fat-free mass preservation after bariatric surgery, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Protein malnutrition after bariatric surgery is a severe complication and leads to significant morbidity. Previous studies have shown that protein intake and physical activity are the most important factors in the preservation of fat-free mass during weight loss. Low protein intake is very common in patients undergoing bariatric surgery despite dietary counseling. Protein powder supplements might help patients to achieve the protein intake recommendations after bariatric surgery and could therefore contribute to preserve fat-free mass. This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled intervention study aims to assess the effect of a daily consumed clear protein powder shake during the first 6 months after bariatric surgery on fat-free mass loss in the first 12 months after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Inclusion will take place at the outpatient clinic of the bariatric expertise center for obesity of the Maasstad Hospital. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group before surgery. The intervention group will receive a clear protein powder shake of 200 ml containing 20 g of whey protein dissolved in water which should be taken daily during the first 6 months after LRYGB on top of their normal postoperative diet. The control group will receive an isocaloric, clear, placebo shake containing maltodextrine. Postoperative rehabilitation and physiotherapeutical guidance will be standardized and similar in both groups. Also, both groups will receive the same dietary advice from specialized dieticians. The main study parameter is the percentage of fat-free mass loss 6 months after surgery, assessed by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol, version 2 (February 20, 2022) has been approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committees United (MEC-U) (NL 80414.100.22). The results of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05570474. Registered on October 5, 2022.

Remote Follow-up with a Mobile Application Is Equal to Traditional Outpatient Follow-up After Bariatric Surgery: the BELLA Pilot Trial

PURPOSE

Medical follow-up after bariatric surgery is recommended. However, the compliance was poor. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a smartphone-based fully remote follow-up (FU) program for patients after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

In the interventional group, patients were followed up using a smartphone application (app), through which questionnaires were sent regularly. Participants in the control group underwent standard FU at the outpatient clinic every three months. After 12 months, all the participants were evaluated at an outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

Between August 2020 and March 2021, 44 and 43 patients in the interventional and control groups, respectively, were included in the analysis after three patients were lost to FU, and three withdrew their informed consent because they wished for more personal contact with medical caregivers. After 12 months, total weight loss (TWL), %TWL, and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) did not differ between groups. There were no significant differences in the complication rates, including surgical complications, malnutrition, and micronutrition deficiency. The parameters of bioelectrical impedance analysis and quality of life did not differ between the groups. Vitamins and minerals in serum were similar in both groups except for calcium, which was significantly higher in the interventional group (2.52 mmol/L vs. 2.35 mmol/L, p = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

Fully remote FU with a smartphone application is at least as effective as traditional in-person FU in an outpatient clinic after bariatric surgery. Through remote FU, patients can save time and medical professionals may have more resources for patients with more severe problems.

Comparing Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Body Composition Changes in Metabolically Healthy and Metabolically Unhealthy Severely Obese Patients: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS)

BACKGROUND

Among two popular obesity phenotypes, metabolically healthy severely obese (MHSO) and metabolically unhealthy severely obese (MUSO), it is important to clarify whether or not those with MHSO phenotype would benefit from bariatric surgery in terms of an improvement in body composition parameters.

METHODS

A prospective cohort was conducted on a total of 4028 participants (1404 MHSO and 2624 MUSO) who underwent bariatric surgery; MHSO was defined as having abnormalities in none or one of these four parameters: systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and high-density lipoprotein. Otherwise, the definition of MUSO was met. Body composition analysis was performed at the baseline and 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month post-surgery using bioelectrical impedance analyzer.

RESULTS

Both phenotypes showed a significant decrease in fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) and a significant increase in EWL% and TWL% (P_trend < 0.05). FFM, FM%, and excess weight loss (EWL%) were significantly different between the two phenotypes (P_between < 0.05) during the follow-up. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that compared to MUSO patients, MHSO individuals experienced a greater increase in total weight loss (TWL%) and EWL% at 12- and 24-month and in EWL% at 36-month post-surgery and also a lower decrease in the FFML/WL% after 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Despite a lower decrease of FFML/WL% and a greater increase in TWL and EWL in MHSO phenotype at some time points, there were no clinically significant differences between the study groups in terms of body composition changes throughout the follow-up period.

Musculoskeletal effects of obesity and bariatric surgery – a narrative review

Obesity affects several areas of the human body, leading to increased morbidity and mortality and the likelihood of other diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. These conditions predispose to bone fractures and sarcopenic obesity, defined by the presence of an obesity-associated decrease in muscle mass and strength. Both bone fragility and sarcopenic obesity disease are consequences of several factors, such as a low degree of chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, ectopic fat deposits and sedentary lifestyle. The diagnosis of obesity-related musculoskeletal disorders is limited by the lack of sarcopenia criteria and lower accuracy of bone mineral density measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in overweight people. Reducing body weight provides undeniable benefits to this population, however treating cases of severe obesity with bariatric surgery can cause even greater damage to bone and muscle health, especially in the long term. The mechanisms involved in this process are not yet fully understood, but factors related to nutrient malabsorption and mechanical discharge as well as changes in gut hormones, adipokines and bone marrow adiposity should be taken into account. Depending on the surgical technique performed, greater musculoskeletal damage may occur, especially in cases of malabsorptive surgeries such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, when compared to restrictive techniques such as sleeve gastrectomy. This difference is probably due to greater weight loss, nutrient malabsorption and important hormonal changes that occur as a consequence of the diversion of intestinal transit and loss of greater absorptive surface. Thus, people undergoing bariatric procedures, especially malabsorptive ones, should have their musculoskeletal health supervised to allow early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic interventions to prevent osteoporotic fractures and preserve the functionality of the skeletal muscles.

One-Year Self-Reported Appetite Is Similar in Adolescents with Obesity Who Do or Do Not Undergo Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

With the growing prevalence of severe obesity in adolescents, sleeve gastrectomy (SG), a type of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS), is increasingly being performed at a younger age. Data regarding changes in homeostatic and hedonic appetite following SG are conflicting in adults, with some studies showing no change and others showing a decrease in appetite. Data evaluating the effect of SG on appetite during adolescence, when appetite is more plastic, are currently lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate appetite changes one year after SG in adolescents with obesity vs. in non-surgical controls (NS).

METHODS

Thirty-nine subjects 13-21 years old with severe obesity were followed for a year; 19 underwent SG, and 20 were followed without surgery. Subjects had fasting blood tests for appetite-regulating hormones and completed a visual analog scale for appetite assessment (VAS).

RESULTS

The SG group had a decrease in body mass index (BMI) at one-year (baseline: 48.2 ± 1.7 kg/m2; one-year follow-up: 42.6 ± 1.0 kg/m2 (p ≤ 0.0001)). No within- or between-group differences were noted in the one-year change in appetite in the SG and NS groups. After SG, fasting ghrelin decreased (p ≤ 0.0001); however, no changes were noted in peptide YY (PYY) levels. Changes in one homeostatic appetite measure following SG were inversely associated with changes in fasting PYY (r = -0.583, p = 0.011). Appetite changes were not associated with weight loss or final BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no changes in appetite measures one-year after SG from pre-surgery levels in adolescents with obesity, and appetite changes were not associated with changes in BMI. It is important to evaluate the impact of long-term appetite changes, if any, on weight loss after SG.

Body Composition in Acromegaly According to Disease Activity - Performance of Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry and Multifrequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

INTRODUCTION

the present study aims to evaluate body composition and its relationship with hormonal control in acromegaly, also comparing the performance of Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a more accessible method, with dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), technology frequently used in current studies.

METHODS

we studied 28 patients (78% female) of whom 13 with active disease, mean age was 52.11 ± 12.53 years; 64% had high blood pressure (HBP) and 50% had type 2 diabetes (T2D).

RESULTS

Although patients with controlled disease had lower serum GH (1.2 ± 1.68µg/L vs 6.61 ± 6.40µg/L, p=0.001) and IGF-1 (158.89 ± 54.53ng/mL and 503.31 ± 253.25ng/mL, p<0.001), they did not differ in body composition: percentage of fat mass: 36.13 ± 11.84% vs 37.73 ± 8.76%, p=0.691 for BIA and 37.10 ± 10.21% vs 37.89 ± 7.32%, p=0.819 for DXA; muscle mass parameters, BIA: FFMI 18.68 ± 2.38kg/m²vs 19.14 ± 1.59kg/m², p=0.560; SMI 10.17 ± 1.39kg/m²vs 10.53 ± 1.01kg/m², p=0.438; DXA: Baumgartner 7.99 ± 1.43kg/m²vs 8.02 ± 1.24kg/m², p=0.947, respectively for controlled and active disease. Patients with controlled acromegaly had lower fasting glucose (110.33 ± 55.48mg/dL vs 129.77 ± 40.17mg/dL, p=0.033) and were less likely to have persistent T2D (28.6 vs 71.4%, p=0.008) and HBP (38.9 vs 61.1%, p=0.049). There were strong positive correlations between BIA and DXA for fat mass (r=0.929, p<0.001) and muscle mass parameters: SMI X Baumgartner: r=0.890, p<0.001; and FFMI X Baumgartner: r=0.868, p<0.001.

CONCLUSION

our data showed similar results in body composition assessment by BIA and DXA, with good correlation between the methods, regardless of the hormonal status of acromegaly. Furthermore, in patients with adequate hormonal control, there was preservation of muscle mass and a lower prevalence of metabolic comorbidities, such as T2D and HBP.

Body Composition Changes Following Sleeve Gastrectomy Vs. One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS)

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate body composition changes and the determinants of fat-free mass loss (FFML) up to 3 years after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 3864 patients with severe obesity who underwent either SG (2746, 76.1% women, mean age: 39.2 ± 11.6 years, and BMI: 44.3 ± 5.6 kg/m2) or OAGB (1118, 82.2% women, age: 39.9 ± 10.7 years, BMI: 45.6 ± 6.3 kg/m2). Body composition parameters were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months after surgery. Changes in body composition were assessed using the propensity matched generalized estimated equation (GEE) method. The determinants of fat-free mass loss/weight loss (FFML/WL%) were defined using a mixed-model GEE analysis.

RESULTS

Means of FM, FFM, and FFML/WL% decreased significantly in both study groups (Ptrend < 0.001). Changes in BMI, EWL%, FM, and FFML/WL% were different between the two groups (Pbetween < 0.05). The results showed a better FFM preservation and a greater FM loss over time in the OAGB group compared to the SG group (Pinteraction < 0.05). FFML during the first 3 months was greater in the SG compared to the OAGB group (P < 0.001). SG surgery, higher preoperative BMI, and female gender were associated with greater FFML/WL%.

CONCLUSION

In the SG compared to the OAGB group, FFML was greater, especially early after the surgery, emphasizing the need for therapeutic interventions such as regular exercise programs and dietary intake modifications.

Fracture Risk After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Bariatric surgery has undeniable benefits for cardiovascular and metabolic health, but it can result in negative effects on mineral and bone metabolism. This study aimed to review the current data on fractures after the main types of bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Therefore, a systematic review was performed using the electronic literature available in the databases LILACS, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed/MEDLINE, with results until January 2021. Keywords were descriptors for bariatric surgery or bariatric medicine or bariatrics or gastroplasty and bone or bones or bone fractures, referenced in all words of the text in the study.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis of observational studies and interventional trials showed that the risk of any type of fracture was higher in the surgical group than in the nonsurgical group (relative risk [RR], 1.20 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.15-1.26; P < .00001; Phetero < 0.000001; I² = 94%], and RR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.00-1.33; P = .04; Phetero = 0.27; I² = 23%], respectively). It is worth noting that the included interventional studies have a low rating on the risk of bias assessment scales. Compared with those who underwent restrictive procedures, subjects had an increased fracture risk after malabsorptive procedures (RR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.40-0.61; P < .00001); Phetero = 0.96; I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION

We found that bariatric procedures are associated with an increased risk of fractures, especially the malabsorptive techniques.

The Relationship between Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels and Body Composition Changes after Sleeve Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

We previously reported that preoperative serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a predictor of total weight loss percentage (%TWL) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). IGF-1 may suppress muscle loss after surgery. IGF-1 almost accurately reflects the growth hormone (GH) secretion status, and GH has lipolytic effects. Therefore, IGF-1 may influence both the maintenance of skeletal muscle and the reduction of adipose tissue after LSG. The identification of the relationship between preoperative serum IGF-1 and body composition changes after LSG can help in understanding the pathophysiology of obesity.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 72 patients with obesity who underwent LSG and were followed up for 12 months. We analyzed the relationship between preoperative serum IGF-1 levels and body composition changes after LSG. A multiple regression model was used.

RESULTS

LSG led to a significant reduction in body weight. Both body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass decreased after LSG. Preoperative serum IGF-1 levels significantly correlated with %TWL, changes in skeletal muscle mass, and body fat mass after LSG. The multiple regression model showed that preoperative serum IGF-1 levels were related to decreased body fat mass and maintaining skeletal muscle mass after LSG.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Preoperative IGF-1 measurement helps predict not only successful weight loss but also decreases body fat mass and maintains skeletal muscle mass after LSG.