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 B(12) (−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.