All eligible patients who will give informed consent will be screened. Those meeting the selection criteria will be enrolled and will enter a 3-month run-in phase during which a conventional LPD will be prescribed in all patients.
At the end of this phase, the subjects still fulfilling all the selection criteria will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive the KD or to continue the conventional LPD for a total duration of 15 months.
Nineteen blood and urine samplings are scheduled for each patient, to be drawn monthly. The laboratory reports include the nitrogen compounds, calcium-phosphorus metabolism parameters, acid-base balance, biochemical nutritional markers, serum C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, blood cell count, and biochemical safety parameters (sodium, potassium, liver enzymes, and bilirubin).
The anthropometric measurements and subjective global assessment will be evaluated at enrolment, at randomization, and every 3 months thereafter.
The compliance with the prescribed diet (protein and energy intake) will be assessed monthly during the run-in phase, weekly for the first month after randomization, every 4 weeks during the next 6 months, and every 3 months thereafter.
The blood pressure levels, drugs required for the therapy of hypertension, acidosis and mineral metabolism disorders, and occurrence of adverse events will be recorded monthly.
