Indirect calorimetry identifies hypermetabolism associated with muscle wasting and increased risk of energy deficit in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients
Authors' conclusion
Persistent hypermetabolism in ICU patients is independently associated with accelerated muscle mass loss.
Study context
- Population
- Adult ICU patients with at least two indirect calorimetry measurements and matched abdominal CT scans43 with ≥3 assessments
- Participants
- 88 patients
- Exposure
- Hypermetabolic vs lower metabolic activity
- Outcome
- Muscle mass loss (cross-sectional area (CSA) of posterior muscle group at L3 on CT)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Muscle mass loss
- Persistently elevated nREE independently associated with greater muscle loss
- Hypermetabolic patients had significantly more muscle wasting than those with lower metabolic activity
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Inflammatory markers, sedation/agitation (RAAS) and consciousness (GCS)
- Hypermetabolism associated with increased inflammatory markers; RAAS and GCS not related to metabolic state
Original publication
Indirect calorimetry identifies hypermetabolism associated with muscle wasting and increased risk of energy deficit in ICU patients. Crit Care. Published 31 October 2025. doi:10.
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