P1054 - CHANGES IN TOTAL PROTEIN LEVELS ONE YEAR AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ASSOCIATED FACTORS

P1054

CHANGES IN TOTAL PROTEIN LEVELS ONE YEAR AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ASSOCIATED FACTORS

I. C. LÓPEZ¹, M. M. HERNÁNDEZ¹, J. C. P. PONS^1,*, M. V. G. VERA¹, A. P. BENAJAS¹, A. B. SENTANDREU¹, A. M. SENDRA¹, J. M. V. CERDÁ¹

¹FARMACIA, HOSPITAL ARNAU DE VILANOVA, VALENCIA, Spain

Rationale: Lean mass loss after bariatric surgery (BS) may contribute to a decline in plasma protein levels (PL), posing a potential nutritional risk. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of total PL one-year post-surgery and their association with sex, age, surgical technique (ST), and percentage of excess weight loss (EWL%).

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted including patients who underwent BS between 2022 and 2024. The most recent total serum protein value available prior to surgery and the value at 12 months postoperatively were collected, along with demographic data, ST, and EWL%. EWL% was calculated as: (initial weight − postoperative weight) / (initial weight − ideal weight) × 100. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and postoperative PL. ANOVA tested differences between ST, and Spearman's correlation assessed associations with age and EWL%. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 208 patients were included (43 ± 11 years; 145 women, 63 men). Mean total protein levels significantly decreased one year after surgery (7.16 ± 0.55 g/dL vs 7.09 ± 0.56 g/dL; p<0.01). No significant differences were observed by sex (p=0.924), age (rho=−0.03; p=0.626), or ST (gastric bypass n=78: −0.10 ± 0.52; sleeve gastrectomy n=73: −0.05 ± 0.55; Roux-en-Y bypass n=56: −0.07 ± 0.52; p=0.364). A positive correlation was found between EWL% and protein reduction (rho=0.14; p=0.039), suggesting a link between greater weight loss and protein depletion.

Conclusion: Total PL declined significantly one year after BS, independent of sex, age, or ST, but associated with the degree of %EWL. These findings highlight the need for personalized nutritional strategies post-surgery, including adequate protein intake and resistance training. Further research incorporating body composition and functional status is warranted.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared