Summary
Objectives
To compare predictive formulae commonly used to calculate resting energy expenditure (REE) with the indirect calorimetry (IC) in a sample of female outpatients with bipolar I disorder, stabilised with long-term psychopharmacological treatment.
Methods
Seventeen female patients with bipolar I disorder were evaluated with an IC instrument (VO2000). IC values were compared with the Harris-Benedict, Mifflin-St. Jeor and LARN equation methods.
Results
The measured REE was not significantly correlated with the three equations. The mean differences between REE values estimated with Harris-Benedict, Mifflin-St. Jeor and LARN equations, and the value measured with IC was significantly different from zero. Moreover, a significant difference was found between the mean REE values measured with the IC and the mean values estimated with the three equations.
Conclusions
Equations commonly utilised for the assessment of REE are not alternatives to IC in female patients treated for bipolar I disorder.