Evaluating predictive equations for energy requirements throughout breast cancer trajectory: A comparative study

Bruna R. da Silva, Ana Paula Pagano, Amy A. Kirkham, Maria Cristina Gonzalez, Mark J. Haykowsky, Anil A. Joy, Karen King, Pierre Singer, Emanuele Cereda, Ian Paterson, Edith Pituskin, Richard Thompson, Carla M. Prado*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background & aims: Accurately estimating resting energy requirements is crucial for optimizing energy intake, particularly in the context of patients with varying energy needs, such as individuals with cancer. We sought to evaluate the agreement between resting energy expenditure (REE) predicted by 40 equations and that measured by reference methods in women undergoing active breast cancer treatment stage (I-IV) and post-completion (i.e., survivors). Methods: Data from 4 studies were combined. REE values estimated from 40 predictive equations identified by a systematic search were compared with REE assessed by indirect calorimetry (IC) using a metabolic cart (MC-REE N = 46) or a whole-room indirect calorimeter (WRIC-REE N = 44). Agreement between methods was evaluated using Bland–Altman and Lin's concordance coefficient correlation (Lin's CCC). Results: Ninety participants (24 % survivors, 61.1% had early-stage breast cancer I or II, mean age: 56.8 ± 11 years; body mass index: 28.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2) were included in this analysis. Mean MC-REE and WRIC-REE values were 1389 ± 199 kcal/day and 1506 ± 247 kcal/day, respectively. Limits of agreement were wide for all equations compared to both MC and WRIC (∼300 kcal for both methods), including the most commonly used ones, such as Harris–Benedict and Mifflin ST. Jeor equations; none had a bias within ±10% of measured REE, and all had low agreement per Lin's CCC analysis (<0.90). The Korth equation exhibited the best performance against WRIC and the Lvingston-Kohlstadt equation against MC. Similar patterns of bias were observed between survivors and patients and between patients with stages I-III versus IV cancer. Conclusion: Most equations failed to accurately predict REE at the group level, and none were effective at the individual level. This inaccuracy has significant implications for women with or surviving breast cancer, who may experience weight gain, maintenance, or loss due to inaccurate energy needs estimations. Therefore, our research underscores the need for further efforts to improve REE estimation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2073-2082
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Nutrition
Volume43
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2024

Funding

FundersFunder number
Alberta Women's Health Foundation
ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation
Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Campus Alberta
Mitacs Fellowship
Women and Children's Health Research Institute
Canadian Institutes of Health ResearchPJT-159537
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
FAPESP2019/09877-9

    Keywords

    • Breast cancer
    • Energy expenditure
    • Energy metabolism
    • Indirect calorimetry
    • Predictive equations
    • Whole-room indirect calorimeter

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