Keywords
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Mental health
Mental disorders
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the association between vitamin B12 deficiency and psychiatric disorders in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, considering clinical and public health implications. Methods: This integrative review was conducted between 2013 and 2023, with systematic searches in the MEDLINE/PubMed and LILACS databases. Controlled DeCS/MeSH descriptors combined with Boolean operators were used. The PRISMA protocol guided the selection process, conducted by two independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria: original articles, full text available, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Exclusion criteria: duplicates, narrative reviews, and studies without psychiatric outcomes. Results: A total of 79 articles were identified, of which 19 were included. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency ranged from 20% to 50%, being more frequent after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Women aged 30–50 years showed greater vulnerability. The most frequently described manifestations were depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, irritability, and, in severe cases, psychosis and reversible dementia. Final considerations: Vitamin B12 deficiency is strongly associated with psychiatric alterations in post-bariatric patients. Continuous clinical and laboratory monitoring, along with early and individualized supplementation, are essential strategies to prevent neuropsychiatric complications and to improve quality of life in this population.
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