Mayo Clinic researchers are reporting that persons who undergo bariatric surgery could have a greater chance of experiencing broken bones, especially in their hands and feet. The study is based on a review of nearly 100 surgical cases at Mayo spanning 21 years.

Bariatric surgery is surgery performed in the treatment of morbid obesity and obesity-related diseases and conditions.

Candidates for bariatric surgery have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more with an obesity-related disease, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea

 "We knew there was a dramatic and extensive bone turnover and loss of bone density after bariatric surgery," says Jackie Clowes, a Mayo rheumatologist and senior author on the study. "But we didn't know what that meant in terms of fractures."

The research team worked with Rochester Epidemiology Project records to develop the chart review of 97 of the 292 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 1984 and 2004. The findings, adjusted for age and gender factors, showed 21 individuals experienced 31 fractures within an average of seven years after bariatric surgery. Fractures were reported in the hip, spine and humerus (upper arm bone), with the majority of fractures in the hands and feet.

"We've shown that risk of fractures after this type of weight loss surgery is clinically significant," says Elizabeth Chittilapilly Haglind, Mayo endocrinologist and lead author, who is presenting today. "More research is needed to confirm our findings and understand the specific risk factors and mechanisms involved."
References:
1. Elizabeth Chittilapilly Haglind, et al. Mayo Clinic.
2. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.