We measured resting energy expenditure (REE) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) to assess their energy balance, and to make dietary planning in the Rehabilitation Center. In 24 persons with SCI, anthropometric measurements, dietary survey, and biochemical tests were carried out. We measured REE in them using with a portable indirect calorimeter, and total energy requirement (TER) was estimated. Their characteristics were as follows : age ; 43.6±16.8 (mean±SD) , height ; 168.0±8.6cm, weight ; 60.5±15.2kg, and BMI ; 21.5±5.6kg/m². REE was 1,390±478kcal/day, and TER was estimated as 1,604±564kcal/day. Calculated energy requirement (NR) using Harris-Benedict Equation was 1,721±244kcal/day, and energy intake was 1,524±353kcal/day from dietary survey. The difference between calculated NR and TER was 83±713kcal/day. The patients who were assessed as negative energy balance lost their body weights during 1 month in the Center. These results demonstrated that dietary planning to maintain adequate energy balance should be made based on measurement of REE for individuals.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of taste disorder and the relationship between dietary habits or lifestyle and salt taste disorder among chronic renal failure patients without dialysis treatment. Fifty patients who gave effective replies in a group dietary counseling session at a university hospital were considered as analysis candidates. These patients took a taste test using the filter paper method, and answered a 46-item questionnaire concerning their health, lifestyle and dietary habits. Information on their physical condition and blood biochemical parameters were collected from their medical charts. The frequency of taste disorder among the analysis candidates was 36%. An independent relationship with taste disorder was found for eating speed and the intake of the angiotensin II receptor antagonistic drug. Taste disturbance due to eating speed and anti-hypertensive drugs need to be considered during dietary counseling intended to reduce salt intake for chronic renal failure patients.

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