Predictive Formulas for Resting Energy Expenditure May Not Be Valid in Dialysis Patients

Existing equations for resting energy expenditure (REE) are not valid in the dialysis population, researchers report. In a Journal of Renal Nutrition study of 200 dialysis patients, average REE was 1,658 kCal/day (males) and 1,380 kCal/day (females). Weight and height correlated positively with REE and negatively with age >65 years. The energy cost of a unitary kilogram of body weight increased nonlinearly for lower BMI. Existing equations underestimated REE (bias 50–114 kCal/day for 3 equations). Researchers derived a novel equation that performed at least as well as other equations in terms of limits of agreement and reduced bias.