Measuring Total Energy Expenditure in Critically Ill Patients Using the Doubly Labelled Water Method

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Diagnostic test
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Critically ill patients, such as those with trauma or sepsis, experience high rates of malnutrition (up to 75%). Malnutrition worsens outcomes by increasing infection rates, hospital stays, mortality, and healthcare costs. Adequate nutrition is therefore crucial in the ICU. To ensure appropriate nutrition, accurate determination of total energy expenditure (TEE) is essential. In practice, predictive equations are often used, but these can misestimate TEE in ICU patients due to complex metabolic changes. Indirect calorimetry is recommended but limited by technical constraints. Consequently, the doubly labeled water (DLW) method, though expensive, offers a precise and non-invasive way to measure TEE over time. This study applies the DLW method in ICU patients to improve energy assessment and guide personalized nutrition strategies that support recovery and outcomes.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Admitted to the ICU of Jessa Hospital

• Male and female sexes

• Age: \> 18 years old

• Expected ICU stay of 5 days or more

Locations
Other Locations
Belgium
Jessa Hospital Campus Virga Jesse
RECRUITING
Hasselt
Contact Information
Primary
Michèlle Hendriks
michelle.hendriks@maastrichtuniversity.nl
+31 43 388 1184
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-12-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-09
Participants
Target number of participants: 50
Treatments
Experimental: DLW-based energy assessment
Single-arm observational study
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Maastricht University Medical Center

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov