Jpen Parenter Enter
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Patients with alcoholic hepatitis are typically malnourished. A hypermetabolic state would explain, at least in part, the muscle wasting observed in these patients. However, data on hypermetabolism in liver disease are limited and conflicting. ⋯ The mean measured energy expenditure/predicted energy expenditure ratio was not increased in alcoholic hepatitis patients compared to controls. However, when related to urinary creatinine excretion, the alcoholic hepatitis patients had a mean measured energy expenditure that was 55% higher than controls. In conclusion, whereas the measured energy expenditure to predicted energy expenditure ratio was not elevated in alcoholic hepatitis patients compared to controls, the measured energy expenditure per gram of creatinine was significantly increased in alcoholic hepatitis patients, supporting the concept of alcoholic hepatitis as a hypermetabolic state.