TY - JOUR
T1 - Resting energy expenditure is not defined by bowel function among patients with intestinal failure
AU - Krag, Caroline Amalie
AU - Heuckendorff, Signe Amalie Schaaning
AU - Højrup, Alberte Schneevoigt
AU - Pedersen, Caroline Bang
AU - Mikkelsen, Sabina
AU - Køhler, Marianne
AU - Rasmussen, Henrik Højgaard
AU - Holst, Mette
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 The Author(s)
PY - 2026/4
Y1 - 2026/4
N2 - Background & Aims: Resting energy expenditure (REE) is a critical parameter for assessing energy requirements in patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). This study aimed to investigate the influence of intestinal functionality, defined by the need for parenteral nutrition (PN), on REE and to evaluate the accuracy of Harris-Benedict equation (HB-equation) used to estimate REE (eREE) in individuals with CIF. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients diagnosed with CIF. Data collected was demographic information, body composition measured by bioelectric impedance analysis, measured REE (mREE) by indirect calorimetry and data from the patients’ medical records like pathophysiological mechanisms, underlying diseases, receiving PN or not, information related to nutritional risk and blood samples (CRP and albumin). Furthermore, eREE was calculated by the HB-equation. Results: Overall, 201 patients were included (mean age: 61.8±14.8 years, sex: 65.0% female). There was a significant difference between patients with short bowel syndrome, other underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and other diseases P<0.001. No significant difference was observed in overall mREE between patients receiving PN and those not receiving PN. However, significant differences were observed for REE/kg body weight, REE/kg muscle mass, and REE/kg fat free mass between patients receiving PN and those not receiving PN. REE was lower, when estimated compared to measured (P=0.003), and the group with SBS, cancer and those not receiving PN, had lower REE when estimated compared to measured (P<0.05). Conclusion: Intestinal functionality had no influence on REE, however REE/kg mass was higher in the PN-group for body weight, muscle mass and fat free mass. When comparing the HB-equation with IC, eREE was overall lower compared to mREE. This study emphasizes the need for more accurate equations to estimate REE in CIF patients, highlighting that IC is essential for precise measurement at present time.
AB - Background & Aims: Resting energy expenditure (REE) is a critical parameter for assessing energy requirements in patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). This study aimed to investigate the influence of intestinal functionality, defined by the need for parenteral nutrition (PN), on REE and to evaluate the accuracy of Harris-Benedict equation (HB-equation) used to estimate REE (eREE) in individuals with CIF. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients diagnosed with CIF. Data collected was demographic information, body composition measured by bioelectric impedance analysis, measured REE (mREE) by indirect calorimetry and data from the patients’ medical records like pathophysiological mechanisms, underlying diseases, receiving PN or not, information related to nutritional risk and blood samples (CRP and albumin). Furthermore, eREE was calculated by the HB-equation. Results: Overall, 201 patients were included (mean age: 61.8±14.8 years, sex: 65.0% female). There was a significant difference between patients with short bowel syndrome, other underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and other diseases P<0.001. No significant difference was observed in overall mREE between patients receiving PN and those not receiving PN. However, significant differences were observed for REE/kg body weight, REE/kg muscle mass, and REE/kg fat free mass between patients receiving PN and those not receiving PN. REE was lower, when estimated compared to measured (P=0.003), and the group with SBS, cancer and those not receiving PN, had lower REE when estimated compared to measured (P<0.05). Conclusion: Intestinal functionality had no influence on REE, however REE/kg mass was higher in the PN-group for body weight, muscle mass and fat free mass. When comparing the HB-equation with IC, eREE was overall lower compared to mREE. This study emphasizes the need for more accurate equations to estimate REE in CIF patients, highlighting that IC is essential for precise measurement at present time.
KW - Body composition
KW - Harris-Benedict equation
KW - Intestinal failure
KW - Parenteral nutrition
KW - Resting energy expenditure
KW - Short bowel syndrome
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029021241
U2 - 10.1016/j.nutos.2026.100630
DO - 10.1016/j.nutos.2026.100630
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:105029021241
SN - 2667-2685
VL - 66
JO - Clinical Nutrition Open Science
JF - Clinical Nutrition Open Science
M1 - 100630
ER -