Preoperative micronutrient status in morbidly obese patients before undergoing bariatric surgery: results of a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Reliable information on micronutrient status before bariatric surgery is needed to optimize preoperative nutritional status and postoperative nutritional therapy. Objective To investigate the pro-/vitamin and mineral status and its association with nutrient intake in morbidly obese patients seeking bariatric surgery Setting Klinikum Vest, Recklinghausen, Germany. Methods The cross-sectional study investigated retinol, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, and β-carotene (high-pressure liquid chromatography), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and calcium, phosphate, and magnesium (photometry) in serum/plasma in 43 patients (body mass index: 52.6±10.5 kg/m2 ) before sleeve gastrectomy. Albumin, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed. Data were compared with accepted cutoff values. Dietary intake was estimated by 3-day food records, and nutrient intake was compared with recommended values. Results One third of participants had ascorbic acid concentrations6.5 pmol/L). Calcium, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase were always, and phosphate was mostly (98%) above cutoff values. Intake of retinol (23%), ascorbic acid (55.8%), vitamin D (90.7%), tocopherol (48.8%), and β-carotene (