Relationship of Food Intolerance 2 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery for Obesity with Masticatory...

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is among the most performed bariatric surgery techniques. One known complication of RYGB surgery is food intolerance, which may limit the intake of protein.

To investigate the relationship of food intolerance after RYGB surgery with masticatory efficiency, chewing time and cycles, and consumption of protein and red meat.

A case-control study in subjects with and without food intolerance (regurgitation and/or vomiting more than once a week) aged over 18 years old who had undergone RYGB more than 2 years prior, with an absence of no more than 2 dental units and normal oral motor system evaluation. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated by the granulometry of red meat chewed by the study subject according to a predefined protocol using a sieving technique and classified from very poor to excellent. Protein and red meat consumption were evaluated by usual food recall and a 3-day dietary diary.

The study population consisted of 24 cases (37.7 ± 7.57 years old, 79.2% females) and 68 controls (38.0 ± 8.75 years old, 61.8% females). There was a statistically significant association (p = 0.001 by the ranksum test) between food intolerance and masticatory efficiency, with 58.3% of cases and 23.5% of controls showing very poor masticatory efficiency. No evidence was found of an association of food intolerance with chewing time, chewing cycles, low protein or red meat consumption.

Masticatory inefficiency is a contributing factor to food intolerance after RYGB, regardless of time and chewing cycles. No relationship was found between food intolerance and consumption of red meat and protein.