Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency Prior to Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Since obesity increases vitamin D deficiency (VDD) risk, bariatric surgery candidates are high-risk. Previously, we documented 71.4% VDD at our center.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate diagnosis and treatment for VDD in our bariatric candidates.

METHODS: 25(OH)D, if pending, and supplementation (form, dosing, frequency) were prospectively documented in 265 candidates.

RESULTS: Candidates were 83.0% female, 48.9% white, age 43 ± 13 years and BMI 46.3 ± 10.5 kg/m(2). 25(OH)D was available for 18.5%: 35.7% VDD 39.3% insufficiency. VDD history did not differ by demographics or procedure, as with those tested versus not.

CONCLUSION: VDD testing was lower than clinically-indicated. Of those tested, 35.7% were deficient and 39.3% insufficient. We previously reported higher rates: 71.4% deficiency, 92.9% insufficiency. Thus, many candidates are untested but high-risk.