Measure total energy use in ICU patients with a doubly labeled water test.
Measuring Total Energy Expenditure in Critically Ill Patients Using the Doubly Labelled Water Method
This will test whether the doubly labeled water method can accurately measure daily calorie needs in adults who are critically ill in the ICU.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Maastricht University Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hasselt, Limburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT07256340 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study applies the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique to directly measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in adult intensive care patients. Enrolled patients at Jessa Hospital will receive DLW dosing and have metabolic measurements collected over several days to capture true energy use during critical illness. Measured TEE will be compared against common predictive equations and, where available, indirect calorimetry. Findings aim to determine whether DLW can improve precision in prescribing nutrition for ICU patients.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (age ≥18) admitted to the ICU at Jessa Hospital with an expected ICU stay of five days or more and not receiving dialysis are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients on dialysis, those expected to be in the ICU for fewer than five days, or people admitted to other hospitals are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable more accurate, personalized nutrition plans in the ICU that reduce malnutrition and improve recovery.
How similar studies have performed: DLW is the gold-standard for measuring TEE in ambulatory populations and has produced accurate results in some critically ill cohorts, but it is less commonly tested and implemented in routine ICU nutrition management.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Admitted to the ICU of Jessa Hospital * Male and female sexes * Age: \> 18 years old * Expected ICU stay of 5 days or more Exclusion Criteria: * Dialysis
Where this trial is running
Hasselt, Limburg
- Jessa Hospital Campus Virga Jesse — Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Michèlle Hendriks
- Email: michelle.hendriks@maastrichtuniversity.nl
- Phone: +31 43 388 1184
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.