Eating and Weight Disorders (May 2024)

Efficacy of multivitamin support following bariatric surgery in patients with obesity: a prospective observational study

  • Alessio Basolo,
  • Susanna Bechi Genzano,
  • Jacopo Vitti,
  • Guido Salvetti,
  • Donatella Gilio,
  • Giovanni Ceccarini,
  • Giovanna Scartabelli,
  • Chita Lippi,
  • Rosario Bellini,
  • Rudi Mancini,
  • Simone D’Imporzano,
  • Carlo Moretto,
  • Valentina Angeli,
  • Daniela Troiani,
  • Paola Fierabracci,
  • Roberta Jaccheri,
  • Alba Calderone,
  • Anello M. Poma,
  • Luca Chiovato,
  • Giorgio Saponati,
  • Ferruccio Santini

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-024-01655-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Purpose Bariatric surgery (BS), an effective treatment for severe obesity and its comorbidities, may result in micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies. This monocentric prospective observational study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a specifically designed vitamin/mineral formula (Bariatrifast, BIOITALIA S.r.l., Italy) for preventing and treating micronutrient deficiencies in patients submitted to BS. Methods Twenty patients with severe obesity (mean weight and BMI: 123.5 kg (range 88–174) and 43.3 kg/m2 (range 37–54) respectively) underwent BS (10 vertical sleeve gastrectomy VSG, 10 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, RYGB). The mean age was 49.9 years (range 27–68). After a presurgical visit (V0), follow-up visits were performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery (V1–V4). Recorded data included weight, height and BMI. A complete blood count, measurement of ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B12, ionized calcium, 25 OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) were obtained. Following BS, patients started the daily oral multivitamin and mineral supplement. Results All patients achieved a significant weight loss (mean − 34.7 ± 11.8 kg). No deficiencies of various vitamins/micronutrients were detected during the entire study period. The serum concentrations of vitamin B12, 25-OH Vitamin D and folic acid increased over the follow-up period compared with V0 (mean increase 243 ng/L, 23 µg /L, 8 µg/L, respectively). Compared to RYGB, patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy showed higher levels of 25-OH vitamin D at V2, V3 and V4 (all p < 0.05), and higher levels of Vitamin B12 and folic acid at V4 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively). No adverse events were reported. Conclusion Following VSG or RYGB, Bariatrifast administration was associated with normal values of essential micronutrients, and it was well-tolerated without evidence of gastrointestinal side effects. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT06152965

Keywords