A smartphone application to improve adherence to vitamin and mineral supplementation after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This trial evaluated a smartphone application's effectiveness in improving adherence to vitamin and mineral supplementation postoperatively. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial comprising 140 patients undergoing bariatric surgery (gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy). Participants were randomized 1:1 to the 12-week intervention, using the smartphone application PromMera, or to standard care. The primary end point was adherence to vitamin and mineral supplementation. RESULTS: Initiation rate and overall adherence to supplementation were high in both groups. Change in objectively measured adherence rate from before the intervention to 1 year post surgery, measured with pharmacy refill data, did not differ between groups for vitamin B12 (-9.6% [SD = 27%] vs. -9.3% [SD = 30%]; p = 0.48) or calcium/vitamin D (-12.3% [SD = 29%] vs. -11.5% [SD = 32%]; p = 0.44). A modest effect on the secondary end point (subjectively measured adherence, using the Medication Adherence Report Scale-5) was seen immediately after the intervention (intervention group 0.00 [SD = 1.3] vs. control group -1.2 [SD = 3.5]; p = 0.021), but this effect did not persist 1 year post surgery. No differences were detected in the prevalence of biochemical deficiencies. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the smartphone application PromMera did not obtain a lasting improvement in adherence to vitamin and mineral supplementation 1 year post bariatric surgery.

Adherence to vitamin and mineral supplementation after bariatric surgery - A two-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation is recommended after bariatric surgery to prevent nutritional deficiencies, but it is not clear to which extent patients adhere to the recommended medication. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to supplementation. Additionally, we assessed predictors of low adherence and biochemical deficiencies. METHODS: 263 adults were followed two years post bariatric surgery (89.4 % Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 10.6 % sleeve gastrectomy) regarding adherence to calcium-vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron. Pharmacy refill data was used to objectively capture adherence-rate. Predictors of low adherence were assessed via questionnaires and medical records. Blood sampling was performed preoperatively, and 1- and 2-years post-surgery. RESULTS: About 60 % of the study participants had high adherence-rate (≥ 80 %) two years post-surgery, but a significant proportion had discontinued the intended lifelong supplementation: 15 % for calcium-vitamin D and 12 % for B12. Biochemical deficiencies were uncommon two years after surgery, both in adherent and non-persistent subjects, except for a 10 % prevalence of anemia. Younger age, experience of side effects, mental health problems and no regular use of medication before surgery, were factors associated with low adherence. CONCLUSION: Substantial variation existed in adherence to supplementation regimens after bariatric surgery during the first two years after bariatric surgery, but biochemical deficiencies were rare. The results indicate need for tailored follow-up and strategies to support long-term persistence.