Profile and factors influencing resting energy expenditure in adult burn patients

The aims of this study are to determine characteristics and factors influencing REE in adult severe burn patients. A prospective study was conducted on 62 adult burn patients admitted during 72 h after burn to burn intensive care unit, National Burn Hospital, Vietnam. REE measurements and REE/BMR calculations were obtained on the 3^rd, 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th day after burn. Collected data was analyzed to find out the influence of age, gender, burn extent, inhalation injury to REE. The results indicated that all measured REE was significantly higher than BMR at all time points (REE/BMR ratio > 1) with a peak value on the 7^th day then steady decreased but still around 200% in compared with BMR on the 28^th day after burn. In compared with females, REE of male patients were significantly higher during the first three weeks after burn. In addition, significantly greater REE were seen in the patients with burn surface area ≥ 60% TBSA or deep burn area ≥ 20% TBSA. Moreover, REE of nonsurvivors was significantly higher in compared with survivor group on the 7^th and 14^th day after burning. Meanwhile, increased age and presence of inhalation injury did not affect REE. In conclusion, in adult burn patients, increased REE is prolonged, burn size dependent and significantly higher in male and in nonsurvivor. This finding should be considered in nutritional caring for adult burn patients.