Abstract
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Respiratory Quotient (RQ) of 1293 patients with various diseases and of 75 normals were studied for 12 years from 1956 to 1967. The results were as follows.
(1) It was suggested in normals that for calculating BMR, the standard value obtained in Japanesesubjects is more applicable than that reported by Boothby & Sandiford. The normal range of BMRcalculated by the Japanese Standard was ±10%.
(2) In a few cases with euthyroidism a discrepancy was occasionally observed between BMR andthyroid functions.
(3) BMR was observed to be higher in leukemia, leukemia-like-diseases and heart diseases as wellas hyperthyroidism than in normals. It seemed almost certain that there is a difference in the mecha-nism of increase of BMR between leukemia and heart diseases.
(4) BMR was found lower in undernourished persons without any diseases, as well as those withhypothyroidism than in normals.
(5) BMR of the patients with anemia, nephropathia and diseases of digestive tract was low r than normal. BMR in other various diseases was within normal range.
(6) Although raised BMR was seen in leukemia, no elevation of BMR was noted in malignant tumors. It was assumed that BMR was influenced much more by general nutritional state rather than by localized malignant proliferative process.
(7) RQ varied very widely from subject, even in normals, and therefore no definite trend was observed in any diseases studied.
