Iron, Ferritin Deficiencies Common in Bariatric Surgery Recipients

Postoperative iron and ferritin deficiencies are common among patients who undergo bariatric surgery, according to a recent study. Preoperative body mass index (BMI) was found to be a risk factor for ferritin deficiencies following surgery.

Findings from the study were presented at the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) 22nd World Congress, which is taking place August 29 to September 2, 2017.
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Many nutritional difficulties often arise after bariatric surgery, such as deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and calcium. However, many anemias that occur after bariatric surgery remain unexplained.

To explore this further, the researchers assessed 4414 patients who had received bariatric surgery and were enrolled in the Clinical Practical Research Datalink (CPRD). There were previously recorded preoperative and postoperative iron measurements for all patients included in the study. Postoperative measurements had been taken between 5 months post-surgery and 567 months post-surgery, with a mean of 39.6 months.

The researchers investigated 10,165 recorded serum iron or serum ferritin levels among 2391 (54.2%) patients. They noted that 7071 (69.6%) measurements were taken postoperatively, compared with 3091 (30.4%) measurements that were taken preoperatively.

Results indicated that 41.9% of postoperative measurements were abnormal readings. The researchers noted 230 (15%) abnormal postoperative serum iron measurements with a mean of 13.56 μg/dL, and 1456 (16.9%) abnormal postoperative ferritin measurements with a mean of 75.4 μg/dL. Preoperative body mass index was determined to be a significant predictor for postoperative ferritin deficiencies.

“Post-operative nutrient deficiency is important to oversee in the community,” the researchers concluded. “It is vital that this is harvested in primary care by the general practitioner after bariatric surgery. Serum iron and ferritin are the nutrients that need better monitoring and regulation.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Moussa O, Arhi C, Ziprin P, Purkayastha S. Is iron deficiency identified after bariatric surgery in the community? Paper presented at: IFSO 22nd World Congress: August 29-September 2, 2017; London, UK. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11695-017-2774-7.pdf. Accessed August 31, 2017.