Abstract Introduction: vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the biggest problems in public health worldwide, and night blindness (NB) is the first functional change caused by deficiency of this vitamin. In this context, electroretinography stands out as the gold-standard diagnostic method; however, it is a high-cost method and its applicability in clinical practice presents some difficulties. Objective: to compare NB diagnosis through the use of the standardized interview issued by the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) and with electroretinography, and to evaluate the association of these diagnoses with serum concentrations of retinol in individuals with class III obesity. Methods: adult patients of both genders, in the 20-60 years age group, with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m², were studied. NB was diagnosed through electroretinography and the standardized interview validated by the WHO/PAHO. Serum retinol was quantified by the HPLC-UV method, and VAD was diagnosed when levels were < 1.05 μmol/L; severity was also evaluated. The statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.0 (p< 0.05). Results: mean BMI was 44.9 ± 11.8 kg/m², and a negative correlation was found for serum levels of retinol (p= 0.01). The prevalence of VAD, according to the serum concentration of retinol, was 14 %; of this percentage 23.3 % had NB according to the standardized interview, and 22.0 % according to electroretinography. NB as diagnosed by both methods showed an association with VAD according to serum concentrations of retinol. Of these individuals with NB, according to the standardized interview, 6.9 % had severe VAD, 10.3 % moderate VAD, and 82.8 % marginal VAD. Conclusion: the standardized interview for the diagnosis of NB can be a good strategy to evaluate the nutritional status of vitamin A, and it is a simple, non-invasive, low-cost method.

Resumen Introducción: la deficiencia de vitamina A (DVA) es uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública a escala mundial, y la ceguera nocturna (CN) es el primer cambio funcional causado por la falta de esta vitamina. En este contexto, la electrorretinografía se destaca como el método de diagnóstico de referencia; sin embargo, es un método de coste elevado y su aplicabilidad en la práctica clínica presenta algunas dificultades. Objetivo: comparar el diagnóstico de CN mediante el uso de la entrevista estandarizada de la Organización Mundial de la Salud/Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OMS/OPS) con la electrorretinografía, y también evaluar la asociación de estos diagnósticos con las concentraciones séricas de retinol en las personas con obesidad de clase III. Métodos: se estudiaron pacientes adultos de ambos sexos, en el grupo de 20 a 60 años de edad y con IMC ≥ 40 kg/m². La NB se diagnosticó mediante electrorretinografía y la entrevista estandarizada validada por la OMS/OPS. El nivel sérico de retinol se cuantificó mediante el método HPLC-UV, y el DVA se diagnosticó cuando los niveles eran < 1.05 µmol/l; también se evaluó la gravedad. El análisis estadístico se realizó a través del Paquete Estadístico para las Ciencias Sociales, versión 21.0 (p < 0,05). Resultados: el IMC promedio fue de 44,9 ± 11,8 kg/m² y se encontró una correlación negativa en los niveles séricos de retinol (p = 0,01). La prevalencia de DVA, según las concentraciones séricas de retinol, fue del 14 %; de este porcentaje, el 23,3 % tenían NB de acuerdo con la entrevista estandarizada y el 22,0 % según la electrorretinografía. La NB diagnosticada por ambos métodos mostró asociación con el DVA según las concentraciones séricas de retinol. De estos individuos con NB, según la entrevista estandarizada, el 6,9 % tenían VAD grave, el 10,3 % VAD moderado y el 82,8 % VAD marginal. Conclusión: la entrevista estandarizada para el diagnóstico de NB puede ser una buena estrategia para evaluar el estado nutricional de la vitamina A y es un método simple, no invasivo y de bajo coste.

Abstract Introduction: increased vitamin D deficiency occurs together with obesity and the association between these conditions has been observed. Objective: to assess the nutritional status of vitamin D and metabolic profile in adolescents and adults with obesity, and the relationship between complications arising from severe class of obesity with vitamin D nutritional status, and to compare the differences between these groups. Methods: observational comparative study. Population comprises adolescents and adults with severe obesity. Waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Analysis of vitamin D (25(OH)D), lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood glucose, fasting insulinemia, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and diagnoses of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) were performed. Results: a total of 60 adolescents (G1) and 68 adults (G2) were evaluated. The percentage of vitamin D inadequacy was observed in 90% in G1 and 79.4% in G2. There was a negative and significant correlation of BMI with the values of 25(OH)D in the group of adults (r = -0.244; p = 0.045). Individuals with inadequacy of vitamin D showed higher values of CRP in both groups (p = 0.000). HOMA-IR showed a negative correlation with 25(OH)D in G1 (r = -0.832; p = 0.000) and G2 (r = -0.589; p = 0.000). The inadequacy of this vitamin showed association with high total cholesterol in G1 (p = 0.029) and higher values of LDL-c in G2 (p = 0.003). Conclusion: high prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D were observed, associated with metabolic changes both in obese adults and adolescents. It is necessary to develop strategies for the prevention and control of obesity and vitamin D deficiency.

Resumen Introducción: el aumento de la deficiencia de vitamina D se produce junto con la obesidad y se ha observado la asociación entre estas condiciones. Objetivo: evaluar el estado nutricional de la vitamina D y el perfil metabólico en adolescentes y adultos con obesidad, así como la relación entre las complicaciones derivadas de una clase severa de obesidad con el estado nutricional de vitamina D, y comparar las diferencias entre estos grupos. Métodos: estudio comparativo observacional. La población comprende adolescentes y adultos con obesidad severa. Se midieron la circunferencia de la cintura (CC) y el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se realizaron análisis de vitamina D (25(OH)D), perfil lipídico, proteína C-reactiva (PCR), glucosa en sangre, insulinemia en ayunas, sensibilidad a la insulina, presión arterial y diagnósticos de enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico y síndrome metabólico (MS). Resultados: se evaluaron 60 adolescentes (G1) y 68 adultos (G2). El porcentaje de insuficiencia de vitamina D se observó en un 90% en G1 y un 79,4% en G2. Hubo una correlación negativa y significativa del IMC con los valores de 25(OH)D en el grupo de adultos (r = -0,244, p = 0,045). Las personas con insuficiencia de vitamina D mostraron valores más altos de PCR en ambos grupos (p = 0,000). HOMA-IR mostró una correlación negativa con 25(OH)D en G1 (r = -0,832, p = 0,000) y G2 (r = -0,589, p = 0,000). La insuficiencia de esta vitamina mostró asociación con colesterol total alto en G1 (p = 0,029) y valores más altos de c-LDL en G2 (p = 0,003). Conclusión: se observó alta prevalencia de deficiencia e insuficiencia de vitamina D, asociada a cambios metabólicos tanto en adultos obesos como en adolescentes. Es necesario desarrollar estrategias para la prevención y el control de la obesidad y la deficiencia de vitamina D.

Introduction: The rise in prevalence of obesity has occurred concomitantly to that of vitamin D deficiency (VDD). The aim of this narrative review was to describe the relationship between obesity and such related diseases as VDD in adolescents, in an effort to warn of the risks of this deficiency during this period of growth and development. Methods: We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Science Direct and Lilacs for articles from between 2000 and 2015 on the topics obesity and obesity-related diseases and VDD in adolescents. We included articles written in English, Spanish and Portuguese of the analytical variety (transverse and longitudinal), systematic reviews, meta-analysis and controlled clinical trials on humans, and excluded studies that were done on animals, inconclusive or with undefined methodology. Results: We produced an overview of VDD in obesity, in cardiovascular diseases, in type 2 diabetes mellitus, in systemic hypertension, and in dyslipidemia. The prevalence of VDD was considered high in obese adolescents and their relationship with the obesity and related diseases was found in adolescents. These findings forewarn of possible clinical repercussions in the health of the adolescents, foremost because of how essential vitamin D is to growth and development, and for its interaction with obesity and obesity-related diseases. Conclusion: The worldwide rise in the obesity rate alongside the progressively increasing of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents is alarming. This relationship of VDD with the obesity and related diseases was found in adolescents. Vitamin D supplementation is considered promising measure to take with obese adolescents.

Introducción: el aumento de la prevalencia de la obesidad se ha producido de forma concomitante a la deficiencia de vitamina D (DVD). El objetivo de esta revisión fue describir la relación entre la obesidad y las patologías asociadas a la obesidad y la DVD en adolescentes, en un esfuerzo por advertir los riesgos de esta deficiencia durante este periodo de crecimiento y desarrollo. Métodos: se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos electrónicas PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Science Direct y Lilacs para los artículos de entre 2000 y 2015 sobre temas como la obesidad y las patologías asociadas a la obesidad y DVD en adolescentes. Se incluyeron artículos escritos en inglés, español y portugués de la variedad analítica (transversal y longitudinal), revisiones sistemáticas, metaanálisis y ensayos clínicos controlados en seres humanos, y excluyendo los estudios que se realizan en animales, no concluyentes o con metodología indefinida. Resultados: se produjo una visión general de DVD en la obesidad, las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la diabetes mellitus, la hipertensión sistémica y en la dislipidemia. La prevalencia de DVD se considera alta en adolescentes obesos y su relación con las patologías asociadas a la obesidad fueran encontradas en adolescentes. Estos datos advierten sobre posibles repercusiones clínicas en la salud de los adolescentes, sobre todo debido a la forma esencial de vitamina D en el crecimiento y el desarrollo, y por su interacción con la obesidad y las patologías asociadas a la obesidad. Conclusión: el aumento mundial de la tasa de obesidad junto con el aumento progresivo de la deficiencia de vitamina D en los adolescentes es alarmante. Se encontró una relación en adolescentes entre VDD y obesidad y enfermedades relacionadas. La suplementación de vitamina D se considera una medida promisoria para tratar a los adolescentes obesos.

Bariatric surgery can lead to nutritional deficiencies, including those related to bone loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of calcium, vitamin D and PTH in obese adults before and six months after gastric bypass surgery in Roux-en-Y (RYGB) and evaluate the doses of calcium and vitamin D supplementation after surgery. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study of adult patients of both sexes undergoing RYGB. We obtained data on weight, height, BMI and serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ionized calcium and PTH. Following surgery, patients received dietary supplementation daily 500 mg calcium carbonate and 400 IU vitamin D. Results: We studied 56 women and 27 men. Preoperative serum concentrations of vitamin D were inadequate in 45% of women and 37% of men, while in the postoperative period 91% of women and 85% of men had deficiency of this vitamin. No change in serum calcium was found before and after surgery. Serum PTH preoperatively remained adequate in 89% of individuals of both sexes. After surgery serum concentrations remained adequate and 89% women and 83% men evaluated. Conclusion: Obesity appears to be a risk factor for the development of vitamin D. The results show that supplementation routine postoperative was unable to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency in obese adults undergoing RYGB.

La cirugía bariátrica puede llevar deficiencias nutricionales, incluyendo aquellas relacionadas a perdida ósea. El objetivo de este estudio fue avaluar las concentraciones séricas de cálcio, vitamina D y PTH en adultos obesos, antes y seis meses pos cirugía de bypass Gástrico en Y-de-Roux (RYGB) y avaluar las dosis de calcio y vitamina D utilizada después da la cirugía. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal retrospectivo con pacientes adultos de ambos sexos que fueron submetidos al RYGB. Fueron obtenidos datos de peso, estatura e IMC y las concentraciones de 25-hidroxivitamina D, calcio iónicos y PTH. Pos cirugía, los pacientes recibieron la suplementación dietética diaria de 500 mg de carbonato de calcio y 400 UI de vitamina D. Resultados: Fueron avaluados 56 mujeres y 27 hombres. El preoperatorio las concentraciones séricas de vitamina D presentaron inadecuadas en 45% de las mujeres y 37% de los hombres, mientras en el periodo posoperatorio 91% de las mujeres y 85% de los hombres presentaron deficiencia de esta vitamina. Ninguna alteración en las concentraciones séricas de calcio fue encontrada antes ni pos la cirugía. Las concentraciones séricas de PTH en el preoperatorio se mantuvieron adecuadas en 89% de los individuos de ambos sexos. Pos la cirugía las concentraciones séricas se mantuvieron adecuadas en 89% y mujeres y 83% de los hombres avaluados. Conclusión: la obesidad puede ser un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de la deficiencia de vitamina D. Los resultados enseñan que la suplementación fue incapaz de sanar y prevenir la deficiencia de vitamina D en adultos obesos submetidos RYGB.

RACIONAL: A vitamina A participa de várias funções primordiais no organismo humano e as suas concentrações séricas podem estar diminuídas nas doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre o estado nutricional da vitamina A, e a regressão da esteatose hepática em indivíduos submetidos à gastroplastia em Y-de-Roux para tratamento da obesidade classe III. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 30 pacientes obesos classe III, de ambos os sexos, com esteatose hepática, submetidos à gastroplastia em Y-de-Roux. Seis meses após a operação, os pacientes foram submetidos à ultrassonografia abdominal e distribuídos em dois grupos: grupo 1 - pacientes com esteatose detectada na ultrassonografia e grupo 2 - pacientes sem esteatose detectada na ultrassonografia. No pré-operatório e seis meses após a operação foram realizadas análises antropométricas e exames bioquímicos: insulina basal, glicemia, Homeostasis Model Assessment Index (HOMA IR), colesterol, HDL, LDL, triglicerídeos, AST, ALT, Gama-GT, albumina, bilirrubina total, retinol, e beta caroteno. RESULTADOS: A média de perda de peso foi de 35,05 + 10,47 (p<0,01) e a diminuição no Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) de 11,6 + 4,99 Kg/m² (p<0,01). Após seis meses, todos os exames bioquímicos apresentaram diminuição significativa das concentrações (p<0,05). O grupo 2 (sem esteatose) apresentou no pós-operatório, concentrações significativamente inferiores (p<0,05), nas variáveis: peso, IMC, AST, ALT, gama GT, HOMA IR, insulina basal. As concentrações séricas de albumina apresentaram valores médios aproximados, sem diferença significativa nos dois tempos avaliados. Observaram-se concentrações séricas mais elevadas de retinol e de β-caroteno e redução menor em relação as concentrações do pré-operatório nos pacientes sem esteatose, porém sem diferença estatística. CONCLUSÃO: Adequado estado nutricional de vitamina A pode contribuir na regressão da esteatose hepática em pacientes submetidos à Gastroplastia em Y-de-Roux para tratamento da obesidade classe III.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A participates in several essentials functions in the human body and their serum concentrations may be decreased in non-transmissible diseases. AIM: To assess the relationship of the nutritional status of Vitamin A through the serum concentrations of retinol and beta carotene, with regression of hepatic steatosis in individuals who undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for treatment of class III obesity. METHODS: Were included 30 individuals, male and female, submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for treatment of class III obesity, who were diagnosed through an abdominal ultrasonography as presenting hepatic steatosis. From the result of an ultrasonography screened six months after the surgical procedure those subjects were divided into two groups: group 1 - patients with steatosis detected in the ultrasonography (16 subjects) and group 2 - patients without steatosis detected in the ultrasonography (14 subjects). Before and six months after the surgery, were carried out anthropometrical analyses and biochemical exams (basal insulin, glicemy, Homeostasis Model Assessment Index (HOMA IR), cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, AST, ALT, Gamma-GT, albumin, total bilirubin, retinol, and beta carotene. RESULTS: The individuals presented an average weight loss of 35.05 + 10.47 (p<0.01) and a decrease in the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 11.6 + 4.99 Kg/m² (p<0.01). After six months, all the biochemical exams presented a significant decrease in their basal concentrations (p<0.05). In the post-operative period the group 2 (without steatosis) presented concentrations significantly lower (p<0.05) in the following variables: weight, BMI, AST, ALT, Gamma-GT, HOMA IR, basal insulin. The albumin serum concentrations presented close average values, with no significant difference in the two periods evaluated. In the assessment of retinol and beta carotene, higher serum concentrations and a small decrease in relation to the concentrations of the pre-operative period in the group without steatosis were observed, however, no statistical difference was found. CONCLUSION: An adequate nutritional status of vitamin A might contribute in the improvement of the hepatic esteatosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for class III obesity treatment.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA) e os marcadores de lesão e função hepática com os componentes da síndrome metabólica (SM) em indivíduos obesos classe III. MÉTODOS: A população estudada foi constituída por 144 pacientes com obesidade classe III (IMC > a 40 kg/m²). A SM foi identificada segundo o critério do NCEP ATP III, por meio da determinação do perfil lipídico, glicemia e insulina basal. Foram quantificados ainda os marcadores de função e lesão hepática. A resistência à insulina (RI) foi verificada pelo índice HOMA-IR e o diagnóstico da DHGNA por ressonância magnética. Os cálculos estatísticos foram realizados pelo programa estatístico SPSS na versão 13.0. A associação foi verificada pelo teste Mann-Whitney e qui-quadrado, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada associação significativa entre o diagnóstico de SM e DHGNA (χ² = 6,84; p = 0,01). Quanto aos componentes diagnósticos para SM, constatou-se associação positiva e significativa entre HDL-c (p = 0,05), circunferência da cintura (p < 0,05) e hipertensão arterial (χ² = 4,195; p = 0,041) com a DHGNA. O índice HOMA-IR (p < 0,001) também apresentou associação positiva com a doença hepática. CONCLUSÃO: Constatouse associação positiva e significativa entre DHGNA e componentes da SM em indivíduos obesos classe III, sugerindo a necessidade e importância do monitoramento desses componentes para rastreamento da DHGNA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver function/injury markers with components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in class III obese individuals. METHODS: The study population consisted of 144 patients with class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 40 kg/m²). MS was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, by determining the lipid profile, blood glucose and basal insulin. Liver function/injury markers were also quantified. Insulin resistance (IR) was measured by HOMA-IR and NAFLD diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical calculations were performed by SPSS version 13.0. The association was assessed by the Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests, with a level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS: There was a significant association between the diagnosis of MS and NAFLD (χ² = 6.84, p = 0.01). As for the diagnostic components of MS, there was a positive and significant association between HDL-C (p = 0.05), waist circumference (p < 0.05) and hypertension (χ² = 4.195, p = 0.041) with NAFLD. HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) also showed a positive association with liver disease. CONCLUSION: A positive and significant association between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome in class III obese individuals was observed, suggesting the need and importance of monitoring these components for NAFLD screening.