November Summary

I choose this article because it looked at different ways to calculate calorie needs for patients with ALS. In previous classes Ireton-Jones was always recommended for calculating energy for ventilated patients. This study found that this formula may not be an accurate for these patients and recommended using Mifflin-St. Jour or Harris Benedict. The study presented conflicting data to what is currently used in many hospitals and referenced other studies with similar findings. While this study may not provide enough evidence for all RD’s to move to this equation is may help RD’s better understand the calorie needs for patients with ALS.

Questions 1

While many found this any interesting study most felt that there was not enough evidence to support only using Ireton-Jones for calculating energy needs in patients with ALS. Kevin, Brooke, and Stephanie felt that there often times RD’s must calculate needs using multiple equations and compare the different results to find the best value. Jamie felt that the study had some interesting points and that she would consider the results when she calculates needs in the future. Over all most feel that they will use a variety of methods to calculate needs and assign energy needs based on a multiple equations.

Questions 2

Everyone felt that the different energy needs between sporadic and familial ALS would not have affected the study. Kevin and Jamie felt it would be interesting to have a study done that would separate the two and compare energy needs. Amanda felt that this study was a launching point for other studies as it provided base information for energy needs of patients with ALS.

Questions 3

Amanda mentions that most of the patients she has seen with the disease are underweight and it would nice to see a study that looked at patients with low BMI’s. I think this is an interesting point as many patients experience muscle catabolism. Kevin and Brooke also agreed that it would nice to see a study that looked at patients with a lower BMI as well. Kevin and Tiffany believed that using BMI in the study criteria could have affected the results because different equations are used based on the needs of the patient. Jamie and Ali felt that this would not have affected the study results as the RD’s could use adjusted body weight for obese patients. There was not an overwhelming consensus for this questions as to how BMI would have affected the study. Many felt that more research would nice to be able to better calculate the needs of the patients.