title: Energy requirements are not greater in elderly patients suffering from pressure ulcers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dambach
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sallé
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marteau
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mouzet
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghali
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Favreau
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berrut
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ritz
mesh_terms: 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*