Bariatric surgery is a highly effective and increasingly popular treatment for severe obesity, but these procedures may lead to accelerated bone loss. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most frequently performed bariatric surgery procedure in the U.S. and worldwide. Previous studies suggest that RYGB leads to significant bone loss in the initial 2 years after surgery. Longer follow-up data on the effects of RYGB on bone density and structure are currently lacking. In addition, there is little known about the skeletal effects f vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), the 2nd most popular type of bariatric surgery. The goal of this application is to prospectively evaluate the comprehensive skeletal health of morbidly obese adults in the 5 years after RYGB (Aim 1), and to compare the differential effects of RYGB and VSG on the skeleton (Aim 2). This project will involve assessments of bone density, structure, and microarchitecture by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), quantitative computed tomography (QCT), and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), as well as laboratory evaluation of metabolic bone parameters. This application will answer clinically important questions about the long-term safety of RYGB for bone, and will aid clinicians and patients who are weighing the risks of RYGB and VSG on skeletal outcomes. Furthermore, differential effects of RYGB and VSG might provide further insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying bone loss after bariatric surgery, which are currently unclear. Though the benefits of bariatric surgery on reducing obesity comorbidities are well established, the potential for adverse effects on skeletal integrity remains an important clinical concern that needs further study and clarification.

Public Health Relevance

Bariatric surgery procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy are highly effective for weight loss but may lead to bone loss and increased skeletal fragility. The proposed project will study 5-year changes in bone density after gastric bypass, and will also compare the effects of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass on bone metabolism. This project will answer clinically important questions about the long-term skeletal safety of gastric bypass, and will aid physicians and patients who are weighing the relative risks and benefits of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03DK107869-01
Application #
9015950
Study Section
Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases D Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Spain, Lisa M
Project Start
2015-12-01
Project End
2017-11-30
Budget Start
2015-12-01
Budget End
2016-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Lindeman, Katherine G; Greenblatt, Logan B; Rourke, Caroline et al. (2018) Longitudinal 5-Year Evaluation of Bone Density and Microarchitecture After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 103:4104-4112
Yu, Elaine W; Lee, Moa P; Landon, Joan E et al. (2017) Fracture Risk After Bariatric Surgery: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Adjustable Gastric Banding. J Bone Miner Res 32:1229-1236
Yu, Elaine W; Greenblatt, Logan; Eajazi, Alireza et al. (2017) Marrow adipose tissue composition in adults with morbid obesity. Bone 97:38-42
Bredella, Miriam A; Greenblatt, Logan B; Eajazi, Alireza et al. (2017) Effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on bone mineral density and marrow adipose tissue. Bone 95:85-90