Abstract
Background and aims
Nutritional status is a prognostic factor for survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) patients. We investigated the contribution of some of the components contributing
to resting energy expenditure (REE) in order to determine whether potentially higher
energy needs should be considered for these patients.
Methods
Thirty three ALS patients and 33 age- and gender-matched healthy controls participated.
REE was measured by an open-circuit indirect calorimeter, body composition by dual
energy X-ray absorptiometry, and estimated caloric intake by 7-day food records.
Results
Patients had lower body mass indices and lower lean body mass (LBM) than healthy controls.
REE values (as a percentage of predicted) was similar but increased when normalized
by LBM (P<0.001). LBM and REE decreased while REE/LBM increased in ten patients who were reassessed
6 months later. A model for predicting measured REE was constructed based on the different
components, with 86% prediction of its variability.
Conclusions
ALS is associated with increased REE. Various factors, such as poor caloric intake
and mechanical ventilation, may mask this tendency. All the above parameters need
to be considered during nutritional intervention to prevent additional muscle loss.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 02, 2009
Accepted:
December 23,
2008
Received in revised form:
December 17,
2008
Received:
June 30,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
