LONG-TERM BONE HEALTH AFTER ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS: A PILOT STUDY.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Surgery
• Bone Metabolism

Background:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a common bariatric surgery.
• Long-term effects on bone health require further investigation.
• Metabolic bone disease is a potential complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess bone mineral density (BMD), fracture prevalence, and nutritional factors in patients over 9 years post-RYGB.
• To identify risk factors for metabolic bone disease after RYGB.
• To evaluate bone health in a long-term RYGB cohort.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 51 patients (mean 17.0 ± 8.1 years post-RYGB).
• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for BMD, dietary intake assessment (calcium, protein, vitamin D).
• Analysis of serum chemistries, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and 24-hour urine calcium.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of fracture (15.7%), secondary hyperparathyroidism (37%), and vitamin D deficiency (39%).
• 27.5% of patients had BMD in the osteoporotic range.
• Lower than expected Z-scores at all sites; negative correlation between radius Z-score and BMI change.

Conclusions:

• Patients many years after RYGB exhibit lower BMD compared to matched controls.
• Significant weight loss is correlated with reduced BMD.
• Prevalence of vitamin D and calcium deficiencies remains high, emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring.