Resting energy expenditure in interstitial lung disease

Because interstitial lung disease increases the work of breathing, the aim of this study was to determine if this condition is associated with increased energy requirements. A group of 12 clinically stable patients with interstitial lung disease was studied. Patients with a history of weight loss had significantly more severe lung volume restriction. Regression analysis showed that 42% of body weight variation was explained by vital capacity (p less than 0.025). Resting energy expenditure was measured by standard methods of indirect calorimetry. The measurements were performed with a ventilated hood during prolonged steady-state periods after an overnight fast. We found that resting energy expenditure was increased to 117.3 and 118.7% of the predicted basal metabolic rate, according to Fleisch and to Harris and Benedict reference values, respectively (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, resting energy expenditure was increased to 120.8% of the predicted value according to body fat-free mass (p less than 0.001). This extra energy expenditure in patients with interstitial lung disease is similar to that recently reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.