Comparison between Medgem and Deltatrac resting metabolic rate measurements.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aims of this trial were to evaluate the reproducibility of a portable handheld calorimeter (Medgem) in a clinical population, and to compare its measures with a calorimeter in typical use with these patients.


METHODS
Cross-sectional clinical validation study.


METHODS
Outpatient Clinical Research Center.


METHODS
A total of 24 stable home nutrition support patients.


METHODS
In random order three measures of resting metabolic rate (RMR) were taken after a 4-h fast, 15 min rest and 2-h abstention from exercise. Two measures were taken with the same Medgem (MG) and one with the traditional calorimeter (Deltatrac). Reproducibility of MG measures and their comparability to a Deltatrac measure were assessed by Bland-Altman analysis, with >+/-250 kcal/day established a priori as a clinically unacceptable error. In addition, disagreement between the two types of measures was defined as greater than 10% difference.


RESULTS
The mean difference between two MG measures was -6.8 kcal/day, with limits of agreement between 233 and -247 kcal/day and clinically acceptable. The mean difference between the Deltatrac and mean of two MG measures was -162 kcal/day, with limits of agreement between 577 and -253 kcal/day and clinically unacceptable. In all, 80% of the repeated MG RMR measures agreed within 10%, and the mean MG reading agreed with the Deltatrac in 60% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
RMR obtained using the MG calorimeter has an acceptable degree of reproducibility, and is acceptable to patients. The MG measures, however, are frequently lower than traditional measures and require further validation prior to application to practice in this vulnerable patient group.
Compher
C
C
Penn Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096, USA. compherc@nursing.upenn.edu
Hise
M
M
Sternberg
A
A
Kinosian
B P
BP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity