Mal J Nutr 17(1): 43-53, 2011

Assessing the Resting Energy Expenditure of Cancer Patients in the Penang General Hospital
Khor SM¹ & Mohd Baidi B²*
¹ Penang General Hospital, 10990 Pulau Pinang
² School of Pharmacy, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang


ABSTRACT
Introduction: Malnutrition is common in cancer patients. Generally, it is believed that the resting energy expenditure (REE) is elevated in cancer patients and this contributes to the development of malnutrition. Thus, to be able to assess theREE is important in planning adequate nutrition support. Methods: A crosssectional study was carried out to assess the REE in patients with solid tumour (n=25), leukemia (n=25) and healthy subjects (n=50) by using the indirect calorimetry method under standard conditions. Results: There was no significant difference between the measured REE among patients with solid tumour, leukemia and the control group (p=0.534). By contrast, there was a significant difference between the REE/kg FFM in solid tumour patients compared to the leukemia group and the healthy subjects, (p=0.049 and p=0.002). The REE derived from the Harris Benedict Equation was found to be significantly higher than the measured REE. The stress factor for patients with solid tumour was 1.35 and that for leukemia patients was 1.36. Conclusion: The REE/ kg FFM in the cancer patients undergoing anticancer therapy appeared to be higher than expected compared to healthy subjects. The Harris Benedict Equation (HBE) was found to over-estimate the REE of cancer patients in the study. As the total energy expenditure (TEE) is estimated by multiplying the REE with the stress factor and physical activity factor, the overestimated REE from HBE will further increase the risk of overfeeding in this population.

Keywords: Cancer patients, resting energy expenditure


Download full article