Overview

The aim of this pilot prospective interventional study is to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) in allowing obese subjects (≥35 kg/m2) with end stage renal disease who need of kidney transplantation to reduce their BMI below 35 in order to be inserted in the waiting list BMI. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

Is the procedure effective in reducing BMI to the target level in 12 months? Which is the effect on weight loss, quality of life and obesity-related comorbidities? Participants will undergo ESG as per standard clinical practice and followed up to 12 months before transplantation and for 12 months after transplantation.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients (i.e., age between 18 and 70 years).
• BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²;
• Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) G4-G5 (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <30ml/min/1.73 m2) who are expected to reach end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) at least 6 to 12 months before anticipated dialysis initiation (pre-emptive transplant candidates) or patients already on haemodialysis when medically stable and kidney failure deemed irreversible;
• Patients not listed because of a high BMI according to the policy of the transplant Centre (cut-off 35 kg/m2);
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients on peritoneal dialysis
• Upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (gastric or oesophageal) in the previous six months;
• Ongoing or active malignancy during the last 5 years
• Myocardial infarction during the past 6 months or/and heart failure class III or IV according to the New York Heart association's classification;
• Previous stomach, oesophagus or duodenum surgery;
• Technical non-feasibility in the opinion of the endoscopist;
• Clinical signs of active infection;
• Concomitant unstoppable anticoagulant or anti platelet therapy, except for low dose aspirin (≤ 100 mg);
• Active drugs or alcohol abuse;
• Pregnancy, lactation (desire to become pregnant during study duration);
• Enrolment in other clinical studies;
• Contraindication to general anaesthesia;
• Other conditions to exclude the subject in investigators opinion;
• Refusal to sign informed consent. -