BACKGROUND: An imbalance of energy expenditure has been reported in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). High-energy diets, in combination with pancreatic enzymes, do not always compensate for energy requirements. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) and disease severity in CF.
METHODS: REE was measured with indirect calorimetry in a group of 38 clinically stable CF patients (32 with pancreatic insufficiency and 6 with pancreatic sufficiency). Correlations between REE and pulmonary function as well as clinical status were studied.
RESULTS: Increased REE expressed as a percentage of predicted (REE%) was demonstrated in pancreatic insufficient CF patients (PI) (113.3+/-2.5%), as compared to pancreatic sufficient (98.9+/-2.5%) and healthy subjects. The elevated REE% in the PI group was not affected by gender and exhibited a strong correlation with the clinical status of the patients (r=-0.641).
CONCLUSIONS: Our data analysis supports the argument that the percentage of predicted REE is an objective indicator of disease severity and progression as well as energy requirements in the assessment of CF patients.