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Erschienen in:
01.01.2004 | Brief Report
Protein losing enteropathy in critically ill adult patients with burns: a preliminary report
Erschienen in: Intensive Care Medicine | Ausgabe 1/2004
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Objective
Few data have been published regarding protein losing enteropathy in adult patients with burns. This study characterised the presence of protein-losing enteropathy in adults with burns and examined the relationship between the magnitude of burn size and the severity of protein loss.
Methods
Twenty adult patients with burns (BSA 31±25%, range 2–80%) were studied. Fluid resuscitation was based on the Parkland’s formula. Protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract was measured using faecal α1-antitrypsin (FA-1-AT) concentrations. Serial measurements of serum protein and albumin concentrations were performed.
Results
Fourteen patients demonstrated elevations in FA-1-AT levels. The mean peak FA-1-AT level was 3.6±4.2 mg/g dry weight of stool. Two patients demonstrated elevated FA-1-AT excretion 1.5 months and 3 months after the burns. There was a good correlation between burn size and FA-1-AT excretion (R
2=0.40).
Conclusions
Protein losing enteropathy was demonstrable in patients with major burns. The magnitude of this phenomenon appears to be proportional to the burns size.