A low serum iron level is a potential predictor of poor renal function in patients following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a retrospective study

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the association of serum iron level (Iron) with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after bariatric surgery (BS). We reviewed 210 patients with mean age of 39.1 ± 10.6 years (body mass index, 41.4 ± 5.5 kg/m2) undergoing BS. The primary outcome was the relationship between Iron and eGFR at 12-month after surgery. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed using postoperative eGFR as dependent variables and using Iron and other variables (i.e., age) as independent variables. At 12-month follow-up, 94 patients were analyzed. BMI significantly decreased, whereas serum iron level significantly increased. Although the percentage of patients with eGFR of < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 increased during the study period, no significant difference was found in postoperative 12-month eGFR. No correlations were noted between Iron and eGFR at baseline and postoperative 1 and 6 months, whereas a significant relationship was observed between Iron and postoperative 12-month eGFR. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that Iron and presence of diabetes were the independent predictors of postoperative 12-month eGFR. This pilot study showed a positive association of postoperative serum iron level with renal function in this patient population. Further large-scale trials are needed to confirm the findings.