Lean body mass changes in cancer patients with weight loss

McMillan, D.C., Watson, W.S., Preston, T. and McArdle, C.S. (2000) Lean body mass changes in cancer patients with weight loss. Clinical Nutrition, 19(6), pp. 403-406. (doi: 10.1054/clnu.2000.0136)

Abstract

Background and Aims: Metabolic measurements (e.g. resting energy expenditure) are adjusted to lean body mass to account for body composition differences. Usually lean body mass is estimated from total body water. However, this may be compromised in weight-losing cancer patients owing to alterations in the degree of hydration of the lean body mass. This study examined the relationship between two independent estimates of lean body mass in healthy subjects and cancer patients with weight loss. Methods and Results: Height, weight, total body water and total body potassium were measured in healthy subjects (n = 9) and weight losing cancer patients (n = 13). They were similar in terms of age and gender. However, the cancer group had a significantly lower percentage ideal body weight (P lt 0.001). The measured total body water values in both groups were similar to those predicted. In contrast, measured total body potassium values in the cancer group were significantly lower than predicted (P lt 0.001). There was a correlation between the ratio of measured lean body mass (water/lean bodymass (potassium) and the percentage weight loss (r = 0.698, P lt 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that total body water significantly overestimates metabolically active tissue in weight-losing cancer patients and therefore its use as the basis for metabolic requirements in this group of patients is questionable.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Preston, Professor Tom
• Authors: McMillan, D.C., Watson, W.S., Preston, T., and McArdle, C.S.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer); R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Clinical Nutrition
• ISSN: 0261-5614