Vitamin and Micronutrient Deficiency and Peripheral Polyneuropathy Following Intragastric Balloon Technique Used For Obese People: Preliminary Study

Abstract

Aim: Complications from malnourishment when treating obesity are common, especially following bariatric surgery. Peripheral polyneuropathy due to vitamin and micronutrient deficiency is the most commonly encountered complication of bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate if this technique may lead to peripheral polyneuropathy due to vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12,folate, zinc, iron, and copper deficiency. Material and Methods: In this study nine patients whose obesity was treated with the Spatz3 intragastric balloon technique wereinvestigated for vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies and any consequent peripheral polyneuropathy. Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12,zinc, copper, iron and folate were measured. Electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate peripheral polyneuropathy, based on the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS). Results: None of the patients had vitamin B1, B2 or B6 deficiency, whereas one patient (11%) had vitamin B12 and another one patient (11%) had folate deficiency. Copper deficiency was seen in five patients (55.6%), iron deficiency was seen in seven patients (77.8%) and zinc deficiency was seen in eight patients (88.9%). Two patients (22.2%) had abnormal sensory nevre velocity and were diagnosed with polyneuropathy. However, these two had normal concentrations of B vitamins and folate but were deficient for copper, iron, and zinc. Conclusion: The intragastric balloon technique does not appear to be associated with peripheral polyneuropathy due to vitamin B deficiency. In our opinion it is a safe approach for obesity treatment in terms of the risk of peripheral polyneuropathy due to vitamin B deficiency.