Elevated Bone Phosphorus/Hydroxyproline Ratio Following Jejunoileal Bypass Surgery

Abstract

The degree of bone mineralization, estimated as the bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio (Pmypro), was studied in 33 patients who had undergone jejunoileal bypass surgery for massive obesity. Low values of bone Pmypro are expected in osteomalacia. We found an elevated mean bone P/ Hypro (p<O.Ool) with the highest values in patients with the longest postoperative periods (r,=0.65, p<O.OOl). The study indicates that bypass surgery, in spite of vitamin D deficiency, is associated with an increased average degree of bone mineralization or a defect in bone collagen synthesis.