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RACIONAL: A desnutrição é freqüente em cirróticos, mas sua avaliação é difícil. A predição do gasto energético basal pela equação de Harris-Benedict não está validada neste grupo. A alternativa seria mensurá-la através da calorimetria indireta. OBJETIVOS: Realizar avaliação nutricional em cirróticos, aferir o gasto energético basal pela calorimetria indireta e compará-lo ao estimado pela equação de Harris-Benedict. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Estudaram-se 34 adultos com cirrose pelo vírus da hepatite C, em acompanhamento ambulatorial, classificados de acordo com Child-Pugh e escore "model of end-stage liver disease". O gasto energético basal foi estimado pela equação de Harris-Benedict e medido pela calorimetria indireta. Avaliação nutricional foi realizada por antropometria, avaliação nutricional subjetiva global, dinamometria e inquérito recordatório. RESULTADOS: Em relação à classificação de Child-Pugh, 15 (44,2%) eram A, 12 (35,3%) B e 7 (20,6%) C e 33 (97,1%) apresentaram valores inferiores a 20 no escore "model of end-stage liver disease". O gasto energético basal estimado foi maior do que o medido (Harris-Benedict 1404,5 ± 150,3 kcal; calorimetria indireta 1059,9 ± 309,6 kcal). A prevalência de desnutrição variou entre os métodos (índice de massa corpórea, circunferência muscular do braço, avaliação nutricional subjetiva global, prega cutânea do tríceps e dinamometria: 0%; 5,9%; 17,6%; 35,3% e 79,4%, respectivamente). A ingestão calórica e protéica foi de 80% e 85% do recomendado, com inadequação na ingestão de cálcio, magnésio, ferro e zinco. CONCLUSÕES: A desnutrição foi freqüente. A dinamometria parece ser o melhor método para o diagnóstico. A ingestão foi inadequada. Considerando que o gasto energético basal estimado foi superior ao medido e a necessidade de maior aporte calórico, a utilização da equação de predição talvez possa substituir a calorimetria indireta. BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is frequent in cirrhotic patients, and its assessment is difficult. Functional assessment through a dynamometer is a simple method and could minimize these drawbacks. Harris-Benedict prediction formulae estimates the resting energy expenditure but has not been validated for this population. One alternative is the use of indirect calorimetry. AIM: To assess nutritional status in cirrhotic patients and estimates the resting energy expenditure through indirect calorimetry and compares it to Harris-Benedict. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty four adult hepatitis C cirrhotic outpatients were studied, classified by Child-Pugh and model of end-stage liver disease score. The resting energy expenditure was predicted through Harris-Benedict and measured by indirect calorimetry. Nutritional assessment was done through anthropometry, subjective global assessment, hand-grip strength and a 3-day recall. RESULTS: Fifteen (44.2%) were Child-Pug A, 12 (35.3%) B and 7 (20.6%) C, and 33 (97.1%) had model of end-stage liver disease scores less than 20. The resting energy expenditure predicted was higher than the measured (Harris-Benedict 1404.5 ± 150.3 kcal; indirect calorimetry 1059.9 ± 309.6 kcal). The prevalence of malnutrition varied between methods (body mass index, muscle arm circumference, subjective global assessment, triceps skinfold thickness and hand-grip strength: 0; 5.9; 17.6; 35.3 and 79.4%, accordingly). Calories and proteins intake were 80% and 85% of recommended amounts and there was inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition was frequent and hand-grip strength seemed to be the most sensitive method for its diagnosis. Calories and protein intakes were inadequate. Considering that the predicted resting energy expenditure was higher than the measured one and the need to offer higher caloric intake, the use of the predicting equation may replace indirect calorimetry.

Malnutrition is frequent in cirrhotic patients, and its assessment is difficult. Functional assessment through a dynamometer is a simple method and could minimize these drawbacks. Harris-Benedict prediction formulae estimates the resting energy expenditure but has not been validated for this population. One alternative is the use of indirect calorimetry.To assess nutritional status in cirrhotic patients and estimates the resting energy expenditure through indirect calorimetry and compares it to Harris-Benedict.Thirty four adult hepatitis C cirrhotic outpatients were studied, classified by Child-Pugh and model of end-stage liver disease score. The resting energy expenditure was predicted through Harris-Benedict and measured by indirect calorimetry. Nutritional assessment was done through anthropometry, subjective global assessment, hand-grip strength and a 3-day recall.Fifteen (44.2%) were Child-Pug A, 12 (35.3%) B and 7 (20.6%) C, and 33 (97.1%) had model of end-stage liver disease scores less than 20. The resting energy expenditure predicted was higher than the measured (Harris-Benedict 1404.5 +/- 150.3 kcal; indirect calorimetry 1059.9 +/- 309.6 kcal). The prevalence of malnutrition varied between methods (body mass index, muscle arm circumference, subjective global assessment, triceps skinfold thickness and hand-grip strength: 0; 5.9; 17.6; 35.3 and 79.4%, accordingly). Calories and proteins intake were 80% and 85% of recommended amounts and there was inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.Malnutrition was frequent and hand-grip strength seemed to be the most sensitive method for its diagnosis. Calories and protein intakes were inadequate. Considering that the predicted resting energy expenditure was higher than the measured one and the need to offer higher caloric intake, the use of the predicting equation may replace indirect calorimetry.