[Estimation of energy expenditure in clinical practice: applicability to individual multiple injury cases]

In 37 multiple trauma patients the estimated and measured energy expenditures were compared. Predicted energy expenditure overestimated it in 89% of patients. The correction factor for the different pathologies was the principal source of error, since the measured/predicted basal energy expenditure ratio was 1.19 +/- 0.17. This ratio had a wide range of values (0.84-1.61) which renders the prediction of individual energy expenditure highly unreliable. Since the overestimation of energy requirements in the critically ill patients may convey important complications, the direct measurement of such requirements is recommended.