Vitamin D Deficiency Does Not Impair Metabolic Improvements After Gastric Bypass

Authors

  • Ana Catarina Carvalho Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR-Laboratory of Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
  • Tiago Guedes Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR-Laboratory of Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
  • Tiago Morais Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR-Laboratory of Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
  • Sofia Pereira Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR-Laboratory of Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6947-4560
  • Egon Rodrigues Department of General Surgery, Unidade Local de Saúde de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1210-3712
  • Mário Nora Department of General Surgery, Unidade Local de Saúde de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3590-4512
  • Marta Guimarães Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR-Laboratory of Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Department of General Surgery, Unidade Local de Saúde de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8094-7197
  • Mariana P. Monteiro Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR-Laboratory of Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0662-1831

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34635/rpc.1144

Keywords:

Bariatric Surgery, Obesity/surgery, Vitamin D Deficiency, Vitamin D

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a long-known cause of calcium metabolism and bone disorders. More recently, it has also been identified as a potential risk factor for obesity and diabetes. Surgical alterations of the gastrointestinal tract associated with lipid malabsorption can conceivably contribute to vitamin D deficiency.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with obesity before and after gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and their impact in weight loss and glycemic profile.

Setting: Public Hospital, University

Methods: Patients (n=553) were subjected either to classic RYGB (n=415) or to long biliopancreatic limb metabolic RYGB (n=138). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters related to calcium and glucose metabolism were prospectively evaluated for up to 36 months after the procedure.

Results: Both RYGB variants were effective in achieving sustained weight loss and long-term improvement in glycemic control. At 36 months, vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism were present in 91.9% and 72.5% of patients, respectively, compared with 87.1% and 10.5% before surgery. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were negatively correlated with parathyroid hormone concentrations, but showed no significant correlations with excess weight loss, fasting glucose or HbA1c.

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism are highly prevalent before and after RYGB. However, these conditions do not appear to adversely affect postoperative weight loss or glycemic improvement.

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Published

2025-12-21

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