Resting energy expenditure in stroke patients who are dependent on tube feeding: A pilot study

Background & aims: Energy requirements of chronic stroke patients are not known. The purpose was to determine the energy requirements of stable stroke patients who are tube fed. Methods: Resting energy expenditure was measured in tube fed, chronic stroke patients (n = 10) using indirect calorimetry. Fat free mass was then measured using bioelectrical impedance to determine the relationship between fat free mass and resting energy expenditure. The results were compared to a healthy control group (n = 57), using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: Fat free mass was significantly lower in the stroke group (42.2 +/- 2.3 kg) than the controls (51.0 +/- 1.5 kg) (p < 0.02). Adjustment of resting energy expenditure for fat free mass brought the mean resting energy expenditure of the stroke group (5439 +/- 235 kJ/d) closer to that of the controls (6336 +/- 149 kJ/d) than the original measured values. However, adjusted resting energy expenditure remained significantly lower for the stroke group than for the control group (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Resting energy expenditure and hence energy needs of chronically tube fed stroke survivors appear to be reduced. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.