Does weight loss due to bariatric surgery affect serum uric acid levels

Abstract Background In the current scenario, bariatric surgery has become a popular modality for long-term weight loss among obese population. The available data mainly concentrated on its impact on diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and or metabolic syndrome. However, there is paucity in literature regarding effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on serum uric acid. Methods and materials In a prospective interventional study, 100 obese patients were studied for weight loss and change in serum uric acid levels postlaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The subjects were enrolled for a period of 1 year. Three patients died during the study and nine were lost to follow-up. All subjects were classified according to WHO criteria of obesity, as mild, moderate, and severe obesity groups. Body weight, body mass index, and uric acid levels were determined at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postsurgery. Results Statistically significant reduction in postoperative body weight and body mass index were noted in comparison to preoperative values. The preoperative mean uric acid levels for mild, moderate, and severe obese groups were 4.65, 5.91, and 6.06mg/dl, which decreased to 2.55, 5.04, and 4.46mg/dl at 6 months postsurgery, respectively. However, on comparison of the change in uric acid levels among the three obesity groups from 3 months to baseline ( P =0.17) and from 6 months to baseline ( P =0.08), no group was found superior in terms of reducing uric acid level after surgery. Conclusions Bariatric surgery reduces the body mass and leads to the significant reduction in serum uric acid levels. However, this reduction was comparable among obesity groups.