Energy Requirements in Hospitalized Elderly People

Authors:
  • GBGilles Berrut
    Gilles Berrut
  • MBMaryvonne Boré
    Maryvonne Boré
  • FBFrançoise Bouthier‐Quintard
    Françoise Bouthier‐Quintard
  • JBJean Marie Buia
    Jean Marie Buia
  • ACAndré Chlala
    André Chlala
  • YCYves Cledat
    Yves Cledat
  • GDGeneviève D'ORsay
    Geneviève D'ORsay
  • CLChristian Lavigne
    Christian Lavigne
  • RLRégis Levasseur
    Régis Levasseur
  • JMJean Baptiste Mouzet
    Jean Baptiste Mouzet
  • MOMarie Pierre Ombredanne
    Marie Pierre Ombredanne
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate energy intake and energy expenditure (EE) in elderly hospitalized patients recovering from an acute illness. DESIGN: Cross‐sectional evaluation of the disparity between energy intake and expenditure. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety geriatric patients (mean age±standard deviation 79.7±7.5) admitted to acute care or rehabilitation units. MEASUREMENTS: Patients' energy intake and resting EE (REE) were measured over a 3‐day period. Blood samples were taken to determine C‐reactive protein (CRP), creatinine, and albumin concentrations and to check renal function. RESULTS: Energy intake was higher than REE by a factor of 1.29, but it was lower than the energy requirement. Energy intake, adjusted for differences in body weight, was independent of sex, highest in those who were malnourished (defined as a body mass index (BMI) 2 . The Harris‐Benedict equation accurately predicted mean REE. CONCLUSION: The mean REE of the geriatric patients studied was 18.8 kcal/kg per day, whereas energy intake was just sufficient to cover minimal requirements. Thus, hospitalized elderly patients are likely to benefit from higher calorie intake.

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