Research on DXA bone density measurements and trabecular bone scores in Chinese men and women with obesity before and after bariatric surgery

Abstract

Objective: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to analyze body composition, bone mineral density (BMD) parameters and the trabecular bone score (TBS) in patients with obesity before, 3 months after and 1 year after bariatric surgery as a method to evaluate the changes in BMD and skeletal microarchitecture (MA) in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery and to provide a basis for further accurate assessment of the bone health status of this population and subsequent treatment. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 41 patients that underwent DXA imaging before, 3 months after and maximum 1 year after bariatric surgery. The follow-up rate in both periods was 100%. First, the changes in BMD and TBS before and after surgery were compared between patients grouped by sex and obesity degree. Secondly, the correlations between the TBS or BMD and body composition 1 year after surgery were analyzed. Results: The BMD and TBS were within the normal range after bariatric surgery. Changes in the BMD and TBS were related to time, the degree of obesity and sex. Changes in the TBS were closely related to changes in the BMD, and the trends in the changes in the BMD were basically the same among the different groups of individuals with obesity of different sexes. A negative correlation was observed between the TBS and fat percentage (total body, leg, trunk, android area), as well as the lumbar spine Z -score in patients 1 year after bariatric surgery ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Bariatric surgery in patients with obesity has no obvious adverse effects on BMD or TBS. DXA can be used to better evaluate the changes in BMD and MA in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery, providing a basis for the clinical evaluation of post-bariatric surgery efficacy in these individuals and subsequent accurate assessment of the bone health status and treatment of this population.