Behavior of Iron and Ferritin After Bariatric Surgery in Patients With and Without Hepatic Steatosis

• Published in: Obesity surgery 2021-11, Vol.31 (11), p.4761-4766
• Main Authors: da Costa Leite Junior, Gerson, Lacerda, Mille Dantas, Alencar, Thalita Arraes Lopes Barreira, Café, Marcio, Giuffrida, Fernando M. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia; Gastrointestinal surgery; Iron; Liver diseases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obesity; Original Contributions; Surgery
• ISSN: 0960-8923; 1708-0428
• DOI: 10.1007/s11695-021-05629-x

Background Iron deficiency and hepatic steatosis are common in bariatric surgery patients. Steatosis can falsely elevate ferritin values even in presence of iron deficiency. This study aims to assess the influence of hepatic steatosis on iron deficiency and replacement therapy after bariatric surgery. Methods Seventy-nine individuals undergoing gastric bypass have been studied at 4 time points (preoperative and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery). Weight, body mass index (BMI), iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, hemoglobin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and use of iron replacement were recorded . Results Forty-two individuals (53%) had moderate/severe steatosis assessed by ultrasound. No differences were seen in iron profile and replacement therapy features compared to individuals with no/mild steatosis both in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Mixed model analysis showed ferritin levels to be higher in the moderate/severe steatosis group than in no/mild steatosis at the 6th month (139 ± 131 vs. 60.9 ± 49.8, p