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

Since obesity increases vitamin D deficiency (VDD) risk, bariatric surgery candidates are high-risk. Previously, we documented 71.4 % VDD at our center. To investigate diagnosis and treatment for VDD in our bariatric candidates. 25(OH)D, if pending, and supplementation (form, dosing, frequency) were prospectively documented in 265 candidates. 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. 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.