Energy expenditure during allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplantation

Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry durin g allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplantation in order to evaluat e the evolution in allogeneic and autologous recipient patients. REE values obtained with indirect calorimetry and compared with values using the Harr is-Benedict formula were different. Evolution of REE during aplasia were si gnificantly different in autologous and allogeneic recipients with an incre ase 11.5 +/- 10.8% for autologous and a decrease of - 7.3 +/- 8.9% in allog eneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients. There were no differences in nutritional status and REE before BMT, at discharge and 1 month after d ischarge between the two groups but all patients had inflicted damage on th eir nutritional status at discharge from hospital after BMT. However, these patients differed because of the decrease in oral nutritional intake and a n increase in the length of aplasia and hospital stay in allogeneic patient s. Currently, there is no proof that recommendations for nutritional interv entions or results of nutritional investigations in allogeneic BMT can be e xtrapolated in autologous patients. Harris-Benedict formula does not estima te the energy expenditure of patients submitted to massive chemotherapy and BMT with enough precision because of the great differences in individuals.