Energy expenditure in critically ill surgical patients. Comparative analysis of predictive equation and indirect calorimetry.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this investigation was to compare the resting energy expenditure (REE) calculated by the Harris-Benedict equation (REE HB) with the REE measured by indirect calorimetry (REE IC) in critically ill surgical patients under mechanical ventilation.


METHODS
Thirty patients were included in this work. REE was calculated by the Harris-Benedict equation (REE HB) using real body weight, and it was also measured by indirect calorimetry (REE IC), which was performed for 30 minutes.


RESULTS
REE HB had significant (p < 0.0005) but low correlation (Spearman r = 0.57) with REE IC, with a mean bias of 12 kcal.d-1 and limits of agreement ranging from - 599.7 to 623.7 kcal.d-1 as detected by the Bland-Altman analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that REE IC seems to be more appropriate than REE HB for accurate measurement of REE in critically ill surgical patients under mechanical ventilation.
Department of Surgery and Anatomy, FMRP, USP, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. mamartins@hcrp.usp.br
Maria
M
Auxiliadora Martins
Mayra Gonçalves
MG
Menegueti
Edson Antônio
EA
Nicolini
Michele Ferreira
MF
Picolo
Alessandra Fabiane
AF
Lago
Olindo Assis
OA
Martins Filho
Anibal
A
Basile Filho
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D055815:Young Adult