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Active, not recruitingNCT02062164YESUpdated May 8, 2024

Weight Loss Surgery in Adolescents With Extreme Obesity

An observational study in Obesity and Extreme Obesity, sponsored by Prof. Dr. Martin Wabitsch. Active, not recruiting at 5 sites in Germany. Open to participants aged 14 Years to 24 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-05-08.

Sponsored by Prof. Dr. Martin Wabitsch · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
66
Ages
14 Years to 24 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The use of bariatric surgery in adolescents is controversial. On one side, bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment to achieve sustained weight loss in adults with extreme obesity. Comorbidities are reversed and mortality is reduced. In adolescents, bariatric surgery is equally effective; however, due to the paucity of long-term data, the long-term effects and risks are unknown. Thus, due to surgical risk and ethical implications, bariatric surgery is considered experimental in Germany. Nevertheless, case volumes are increasing.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits and risks of adolescent bariatric surgery in the context of a structured preparation and follow-up program. The study is a subproject of the study "Medical and psychosocial implications of adolescent extreme obesity - acceptance and effects of structured care" (DRKS00004172). At 5 German university centers (Ulm, Datteln, Berlin, Essen, Leipzig), youth who undergo bariatric surgery and are participants in the overall project will be enrolled in a structured preparation and follow-up program. The program is designed to improve adherence and compliance and will result in comprehensive follow-up data. In addition to the data gathered in the overall project, subjects participating in subproject 3 will undergo assessments pertinent to bariatric surgery, as proposed in the American Teen-LABS study (http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ research/divisions/t/teen-labs/default/). Comparison will be made with BMI matched adolescents who participate in the overall project but do not undergo bariatric surgery.

In November 2014 recruitment for the overall project was completed. However, patients interested in bariatric surgery will still be recruited until September 2016. There assessment will be the same as for patients recruited earlier. However, in an amendment in December 2014, the frequency of assessment via questionnaire was reduced from biannually to annually. In addition, a travel reimbursement of 30€ for each study visit was implemented.

02

Conditions studied

  • Obesity
  • Extreme Obesity

Keywords

  • psychosocial, healthcare, co-morbidities, extremely obese adolescents
03

In context

Obesity

6,296 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity; 1,692 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 66 is below the median of 135 across 1,283 observational studies indexed under Obesity.

Browse Obesity studies →

Lead sponsor

Prof. Dr. Martin Wabitsch is the lead sponsor of 5 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
14 Years to 24 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Subjects will be recruited from a cohort of young adults and adolescents participating in the "Adolescents with extreme Obesity" Study.

Inclusion criteria

  • BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with severe comorbidity or BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 with relevant comorbidity
  • completed longitudinal growth
  • stable social surroundings
  • exhaustion of conservative treatment
  • participation in the project "Adolescents with extreme Obesity"
  • adequate compliance and adherence

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • treatable causative condition
  • unstable medical, psychosocial or psychiatric comorbidity
  • alcohol or drug abuse
  • pregnancy
  • contraindication for bariatric surgery
05

Study design

Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
66 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna

Groups and cohorts

  • bariatric surgery group

    subjects who participate in the overall project and undergo bariatric surgery

    Procedure: bariatric surgery

  • conservative care group

    subjects who participate in the overall project and do not undergo bariatric surgery

    Other: conservative care

Interventions

  • Procedurebariatric surgery

    The intervention takes place in the clinical care setting. The decision for surgery is made by a multidisciplinary team, according to the international guidelines and the recommendations of the German working group on obesity (AGA, www.a.g.a.de). The choice of procedure is made on an individual basis taking into consideration patient inherent factors as well as the recommendations of the operating center. Operations are conducted at certified bariatric centers according to the policies of the German working group on bariatric surgery (CAADIP), and in the context of a structured preparation and follow-up program. The program is offered by a multidisciplinary team (pediatrician, endocrinologist, surgeon, dietician, psychologist/psychiatrist, social worker) and comprises preparation for and education about the surgery and expected lifestyle changes, as well as a structured, multidisciplinary follow-up plan. Subjects sign a contract agreeing to adhere to the recommended follow-up schedule.

  • Otherconservative care

    Subjects will be seen by a trained study physician every 6 months. Stuctured health assessments will be conducted, and individual treatment recommendations will be made based on the patients motivation and ability(e.g. inpatient obesity rehab, exercise, dietary or behavioral intervention etc.)

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. BMI change from baseline

    Time frame: 1 year postoperative

Secondary outcomes

  1. BMI

    Time frame: every 6 months for 9 years

  2. changes in somatic comorbidity

    Will be assessed via standardized physical examination, laboratory and apparative tests, and standardized patient questionnaires.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  3. changes in psychosocial comorbidity

    Will be assessed via standardized patient questionnaires.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  4. changes in psychiatric comorbidity

    Will be assessed via standardized psychiatric evaluation and standardized and validated patient questionnaires.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  5. peri- und postoperative complications

    Will be assessed via physician questionnaires.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  6. vitamin deficiencies

    Will be assessed via patient questionnaire and laboratory studies.

    Time frame: every 6 months for 9 years

  7. adherence with postoperative recommendations on supplements, doctors visits and nutrition

    Will be assessed via patient questionnaire.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  8. hunger, food tolerance, gastrointestinal symptoms, dumping

    Will be assessed via patient questionnaire.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  9. eating behavior

    Will be assessed via validated questionnaire (EDE-Q).

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  10. exercise

    Will be assessed via validated questionnaire (IPAQ).

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  11. changes in quality of life: SF36

    Will be assessed via validated questionnaires (SF36).

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  12. changes in quality of life: IWQOL

    Will be assessed via validated questionnaires (IWQOL).

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

  13. schooling, vocation, psychosocial situation, functional impairments

    Will be assessed via standardized patient questionnaire.

    Time frame: every 12 months for 9 years

07

Study locations

5 sites
  • Ambulatory Obesity Program, Charité University, Berlin
    Berlin, 13353, Germany
  • Vestische Kinderklinik, University of Witten/Herdecke
    Datteln, Germany
  • University Duisburg-Essen
    Essen, 45147, Germany
  • University Hospital Leipzig
    Leipzig, 04103, Germany
  • Dept for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Ulm: Interdisciplinary obesity clinic
    Ulm, 89075, Germany
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 8, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02062164
Lead sponsor
Prof. Dr. Martin Wabitsch
Collaborators
University of Witten/Herdecke, Charite University, Berlin, Germany, University of Leipzig, Universität Duisburg-Essen
Responsible party
Prof. Dr. Martin Wabitsch (Division Chief Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University of Ulm) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Feb 13, 2014
Start date
Nov 2013
Primary completion
Apr 2018
Completion
Jan 2028 (estimated)
Last update
May 8, 2024

Study contacts

Martin Wabitsch, Prof. Dr. med.
study chair · University of Ulm
Susanna Wiegand, Dr. med.
principal investigator · Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Thomas Reinehr, Prof. Dr. med.
principal investigator · University of Witten/Herdecke
Johannes Hebebrand, Prof. Dr. med.
principal investigator · Universität Duisburg-Essen
Wieland Kiess, Prof. Dr. med.
principal investigator · University of Leipzig
Reinhard Holl, Prof. Dr. med.
principal investigator · University of Ulm

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in May 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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