Faecal Inflammatory Biomarkers and Gastrointestinal Symptoms after Bariatric Surgery: A Longitudinal Study

Bariatric surgery induces various gastrointestinal (GI) modifications. We performed the first study longitudinally assessing the effect of bariatric surgery on faecal inflammatory biomarker levels and its relation with GI complaints.

Faecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, and calgranulin-C levels were determined in 41 patients (34 Roux-en-Y [RYGB], 7 sleeves) before and at 6-16 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Changes in biomarker levels and percentage of patients above reference value were determined. Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) was used to assess GI complaints at corresponding time points. The postoperative relation between GSRS score and biomarker levels above reference value was investigated.

After RYGB, median calprotectin levels are significantly higher (>188, 104-415 μg/g) than before surgery (40, 19-78 μg/g; p < 0.001), and over 90% of patients have levels above reference value 1 year after surgery. Median lactoferrin was 0.4 (0.2-1.6) μg/g before, and >5.9 (1.8-13.6) μg/g after surgery (p < 0.001). Median calgranulin-C levels remained far below the reference value and were 0.13 (0.05-0.24) μg/g before and <0.23 (0.06-0.33) μg/g after surgery. Similar results were found after sleeve gastrectomy. No difference was seen in GSRS score for patients with calprotectin and lactoferrin levels above reference values.

Faecal inflammatory biomarkers calprotectin and lactoferrin, but not calgranulin-C, rise above reference values shortly after bariatric surgery and remain elevated in the majority of patients. The discrepancy between calprotectin and calgranulin-C levels suggests no GI inflammation. Furthermore, patients after RYGB with biomarkers above the population reference value do not seem to have more GI complaints.