Energy requirements are not greater in elderly patients suffering from pressure ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate energy requirements in diseased elderly patients with pressure ulcers (PUs).


METHODS
Open, case-control study.


METHODS
University Hospital of Angers (France).


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with PUs (Norton index risk=14.3+/-3.3) and 27 controls hospitalized for various diseases (Norton=13.9+/-3.3).


METHODS
Energy requirements were estimated using measured resting metabolic rate (RMR) and multiplied by 1.26 and 1.5 to range between minimal World Health Organization (WHO) requirements and those of adults undergoing light physical activity. Energy intakes were estimated using 3-day food weight records. Measured RMR was compared with the prediction equations of Harris-Benedict, WHO, and Schofield.


RESULTS
Measured RMR did not differ between the two groups (P=.48), and was not related to grade or size of the PUs. The WHO equation (82 kcal/d, P=.006) and the Schofield formula (57 kcal/d, P=.05) slightly underestimated calculated RMR, but the Harris-Benedict equation (40 kcal/d, P=.13) accurately estimated it. Energy requirements therefore ranged between 1,536+/-340 kcal/d and 1,828+/-405 kcal/d, (25-30 kcal/kg body weight per day). Energy intake was lower than energy requirements by 176 to 479 kcal/d.


CONCLUSIONS
Diseased elderly patients with PUs do not have greater energy expenditure, with their requirements suggested to range between 25 and 30 kcal/kg body weight per day. Malnutrition within this population is most likely the result of low energy intake.
Dambach
Bernd
B
Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.
Sallé
Agnès
A
Marteau
Cécile
C
Mouzet
Jean-Baptiste
JB
Ghali
Ali
A
Favreau
Anne-Marie
AM
Berrut
Gilles
G
Ritz
Patrick
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism*