Resting energy expenditure and nutritional state in patients with liver cirrhosis before and after liver transplantation

Resting energy expenditure (REE), body composition, and the biochemical parameters of liver function were measured in 26 patients before and 432 days (range: 103–1022 days) after liver transplantation (LTX). PreLTX REE was variable (mean: 1638 +/− 308 kcal/day, range: 1220–2190 kcal/day or +10 +/− 11% of Harris Benedict = HB prediction, range: −19 – +33%) and was closely related to body cell mass (r = 0.66, p < 0.0003). PostLTX REE was variable (mean: 1612 +/− 358 kcal/day, range: 1010–2490 kcal/day or +5 +/− 15% of HB prediction, range: −20 – +37%) and was closely related to body cell mass (r = 0.65, p < 0.0006). When compared with preLTX values only small changes in mean REE (−71 +/− 43 kcal/day) and a close correlation between pre and postLTX REE (r = 0.82, p < 0.001) were observed. In contrast to REE, changes in body weight were highly variable (−16.5 – +32.7 kg/year). This variance was not explained by the number of postoperative complications, pre and postLTX liver function, possible graft rejection and/or hepatitis reinfection. Pre-operative hypermetabolism (i.e. REE >+20% of HB prediction) was associated with postoperative hypermetabolism and a reduced liver function before and after LTX. Hypermetabolic patients had a poorer nutritional outcome after LTX (weight change: 0 +/− 8.4 kg/year) when compared with normometabolic controls (weight change: +5.7 +/− 7.4 kg/year; p < 0.05). There was no significant association between deviations in pre and postLTX REE and changes in body weight. When corrected for changes in the nutritional state our data provide evidence for the persistence of resting energy expenditure in liver transplant patients.