VARIABILITY OF MEASURED ENERGY-EXPENDITUR E IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE-PANCREATITIS - IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A RELIABLE ENERGY-EXPENDITURE INDEX FOR THESE CASES

Energy expenditure was measured in 55 patients with acute pancreatitis , during variable periods ranging from 1 to 5 weeks and it was compare d with estimated energy expenditure according to Hams Benedict equatio ns. Patients with severe pancreatitis had similar measured and measure /estimated energy expenditure rations, compared to those with mild pan creatitis (1678 +/- 349.6 kcal/day and 1.1 +/- 0.19 vs 1632 +/- 383 kc al/day and 1.06 +/- 0.19). There was a high dispersion of measured/est imated rations (0.67 -1.7) that precluded the calculation of a reliabl e energy expenditure correction factor for this disease. It is conclud ed that energy expenditure must be measured and not estimated. when pl anning an adequate nutritional support in patients with acute pancreat itis.