Harris-Benedict Equation and Resting Energy Expenditure Estimates in Critically Ill Ventilator Patients
A new study on the American Journal of Critical Care demonstrates the limited reliability of the Harris Benedict Equation as a substitute to indirect calorimetry in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.
This observational transversal study (sample comprised 205 patients) compared REEIC (measured with indirect calorimetry) with REEHB (calculated with the Harris benedict Equation) calculated on the basis of 3 different sources of body weight: body weight determined by bed scale (REEHB1), ideal body weight(REEHB2), and predicted body weight(REEHB3).
The study demonstrated how "indirect calorimetry is better than other methods for measuring REE in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Using indirect calorimetry ensures that critically ill patients receive more accurate nutritional support. Moreover, the attempt to use different sources of body weight failed to improve the accuracy of the Harris Benedict equation for predicting REE in critically ill patients."
The article details are the following:
- Title: "Harris-Benedict Equation and Resting Energy Expenditure Estimates in Critically Ill Ventilator Patients"
- Authors: Picolo MF, Lago AF, Menegueti MG, Nicolini EA, Basile-Filho A, Nunes AA, Martins-Filho OA, Auxiliadora-Martins M
- Published in: Am J Crit Care. 2016 Jan;25(1):e21-9
The full study can be downloaded for free at the following link: click here
