Bone Mineral Density, Parathyroid Hormone, and Vitamin D After Gastric Bypass Surgery: a 10-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up

Risk of fractures following bariatric surgery with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy: a Danish population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We examined the association between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and fracture risk, including major osteoporotic fractures (MOF), and the use of anti-osteoporosis medication (AOM). While RYGB is associated with impaired bone health and increased fracture risk, it remains uncertain whether SG has a similar impact and whether this risk is primarily due to MOF or any fracture.

DESIGN

We conducted a nationwide cohort study covering patients treated with RYGB (n = 16 121, 10.2-year follow-up) or SG (n = 1509, 3.7-year follow-up), from 2006 to 2018, comparing them with an age- and sex-matched cohort (n = 407 580).

METHODS

We computed incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs, using Cox regression for any fracture, MOF, and use of AOM with adjustment for comorbidities.

RESULTS

Compared with the general population cohort, RYGB was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (HR 1.56 [95% CI, 1.48-1.64]) and MOF (HR 1.49 [1.35-1.64]). Sleeve gastrectomy was associated with an increased risk of any fracture (HR 1.38 [1.13-1.68]), while the HR of MOF was 1.43 (0.97-2.12). The use of AOM was low but similar in all cohorts (approximately 1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery increased the risk of any fracture and MOF to similar extend. Risks were similar for RYGB and SG. However, SG had a shorter follow-up than RYGB, and the cohort size was rather small. More research is needed for long-term SG fracture risk assessment. The use of AOM was low in all cohorts.

Short-term effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or gastric sleeve on bone mineral density and calciotropic hormones: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and gastric sleeve (GS) have been associated with significant reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) and fluctuations in serum levels of calciotropic hormones. These changes pose a risk to bone health. The study assessed the short-term (12 and 24 months) effects of RYGB and GS on BMD and calciotropic hormones. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Analyses considered follow-up (12 and 24 months) with BMD as main outcome at three sites (femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine) and one for each calciotropic hormone (25 OH vitamin D and parathyroid hormone [PTH]). Estimated effect sizes were calculated as standardized mean differences (SMD), confidence interval of 95%, and P value. Nine studies totaling 473 participants (RYGB = 261 and GS = 212) were included. RYGB resulted in lower BMD than GS at 12 months for femoral neck (SMD = -0.485, 95% CI [-0.768, -0.202], P = .001), lumbar spine (SMD = -0.471, 95% CI [-0.851, -0.092], P = .015), and total hip (SMD = -0.616, 95% CI [-0.972, -0.259], P = .001), and at 24 months for total hip (SMD = -0.572, 95% CI [-0.907, -0.238], P = .001). At 24 months, 25 OH vitamin D was lower in RYGB than GS (SMD = -0.958 [-1.670, -0.245], P = .008) and PTH levels were higher in RYGB than in GS (SMD = 0.968 [0.132, 1.804, P = .023]). RYGB demonstrated significant reduction in regional BMD. It also induces lower serum 25 OH vitamin D and higher PTH levels than GS. The results support the need for preventive bone health measures in the short-term postoperative period, especially in the case of RYGB.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency 12 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass a Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study

PURPOSE

Micronutrient deficiencies are common after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study explores whether vitamin and mineral deficiency was associated with adherence to recommended supplementation 12 years after RYGB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional Bariatric Surgery Observation Study (BAROBS) was conducted in 2018-2020 at three hospitals in Central Norway. We report data on 490 patients' self-reported adherence to recommended supplements and vitamin and mineral levels in the blood. The patients, who had RYGB between 2003 and 2009, were recommended an over-the-counter multivitamin-mineral supplement, calcium/vitamin D (1000 mg/20 µg) and vitamin B12 injections (reimbursed), since bariatric supplements were not available then.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age was 40.1 ± 9 years at RYGB, and time to follow-up 11.7 ± 1.6 years. Of 490 patients, 393 (80%) were women. Among 361 (74%) patients' adherent to multivitamin-mineral supplements; folate, vitamin B2, and vitamin B6 deficiency were present in 39 (11%), 103 (29%), and 63 (17%) patients, respectively. The same deficiencies occurred in 44 (34%), 67 (52%), and 67 (52%) patients' non-adherent to recommendations. Although 466 (95%) patients reported adherence to vitamin B12 supplements, sub-optimal levels were found in 73 (16%) patients. Though 336 (69%) patients adhered to calcium/vitamin D supplements (1000 mg/20 µg), sub-optimal vitamin D levels (< 75 nmol/l) were found in 174/336 (52%) adherent patients and 120/154 (78%) non-adherent patients.

CONCLUSION

Twelve years after RYGB, adherence to supplements, though in sub-optimal doses of new recommendations, decreases the probability of vitamin and mineral deficiency, especially for thiamine, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, but does not eliminate it.

Risk Factors of Nonfusion after Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion in the Early Postoperative Period: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

Although high fusion rates have been reported for anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in the medium and long term, the risk of nonfusion in the early period after ACDF remains substantial. This study investigates early risk factors for cage nonfusion in patients undergoing single- or multi-level ACDF.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study. From August 2020 to December 2021, 107 patients with ACDF, including 197 segments, were enrolled, with a follow-up of 3 months. Among the 197 segments, 155 were diagnosed with nonfusion (Nonfusion group), and 42 were diagnosed with fusion (Fusion group) in the early period after ACDF. We assessed the significance of the patient-specific factors, radiographic indicators, serum factors, and clinical outcomes. The Wilcoxon rank sum test, t-tests, analysis of variance, and stepwise multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that smoking, insufficient improvement in the C2-7 Cobb angle (p = 0.024) and the functional spinal unit Cobb angle (p = 0.022) between preoperative and postoperative stages and lower serum calcium (fusion: 2.34 ± 0.12 mmol/L; nonfusion: 2.28 ± 0.17 mmol/L, p = 0.003) β-carboxyterminal telopeptide end of type 1 collagen (β-CTX) (fusion: 0.51 [0.38, 0.71]; nonfusion: 0.43 [0.31, 0.57], p = 0.008), and N-terminal fragment of osteocalcin (N-MID-BGP) (fusion: 18.30 [12.15, 22.60]; nonfusion: 14.45 [11.65, 18.60], p = 0.023) are risk factors for nonfusion in the early period after ACDF. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that poor C2-7 Cobb angle improvement (odds ratio [OR], 1.107 [1.019-1.204], p = 0.017) and lower serum calcium (OR, 3.700 [1.138-12.032], p = 0.030) are risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with successful fusion after ACDF had higher preoperative serum calcium and improved C2-7 Cobb angle than nonfusion patients at 3 months. These findings suggest that serum calcium could be used to identify patients at risk of nonfusion following ACDF and that correcting the C2-7 Cobb angle during surgery could potentially increase fusion in the early period after ACDF.

Determinant factors of bone health after long-term of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone health and the potential influencing factors of bone metabolism disorders in adults ≥5 y after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, patients who were ≥5 y post-RYGB were invited. Bone health considered as bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in this study was assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry. We also assessed 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentrations, individual ultraviolet B radiation levels, serum ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid, anthropometric, and body composition.

RESULTS

The study evaluated 104 adults (90% women; 49.6 ± 9.1 y old; postoperative period 8.7 ± 2.2 y). Lumbar and femoral BMC and BMD were positively correlated to body mass index (BMI), appendicular lean mass (ALM), and negatively to %excess of weight loss (EWL). Femoral BMD was negatively correlated to age, and both femoral BMD and BMC were positively correlated to weekly exposed body part score. Sex, age, BMI, ALM, and weekly exposed body part score explained 35% and 54% of the total variance of femoral BMD and BMC, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggested that older age, lower BMI, higher %EWL, lower ALM, and lower weekly body part exposure score are important determinants in lowering BMD and BMC parameters in long-term post-bariatric surgery individuals, rather than serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and parathyroid.

The Effect of Exercise for the Prevention of Bone Mass After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We aimed to assess if exercise applied after bariatric surgery (BS) improves bone mineral density (BMD) compared to usual care. Systematic search was conducted up to January 2021. Effect measures were determined using standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Certainty evidence was assessed according to GRADE. Four clinical trials encompassing 340 patients were included. Exercise induced a positive BMD effect at total hip (SMD = 0.37 [95% CI 0.02, 0.71]; very low certainty evidence), femoral neck (SMD = 0.63 [95% CI 0.19, 1.06]; low certainty evidence), lumbar spine (SMD = 0.41 [95% CI 0.19, 0.62]; low certainty evidence), and 1/3 radius (SMD = 0.58 [95% CI 0.19, 0.97]; low certainty evidence). Exercise undertaken after BS seems to induce a positive effect on BMD.