The role of dietary protein restriction in Indian patients with chronic renal failure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine dietary protein intake in Indian patients with chronic renal failure and the impact of prescribing protein restricted diets to these patients.


METHODS
Baseline dietary protein intake was estimated in forty five patients with chronic renal failure on an unrestricted diet. Of these 45 patients, 27 were vegetarian and 18 were non-vegetarian. Then the patients were divided into 2 comparable groups. Twenty group I patients were allowed to continue unrestricted diet while 25 group II patients were advised 0.6 g/kg/day (50% high biological value) protein. Protein intake was estimated at 1 and 2 month follow up.


RESULTS
The baseline dietary protein intake in 45 patients was 0.65 +/- 0.15 (mean +/- 1 SD) g/kg/day. There was no significant difference in protein intake of group I and group II patients at 1 and 2 month follow up. Also, the protein intake in group II patients was not different at 1 and 2 month follow up compared to baseline value.


CONCLUSIONS
Protein intake of Indian patients with CRF is usually low even on an unrestricted diet. The usual practice of advising dietary protein restriction has no significant impact on the protein intake.
Patel
Z
Z
Nephrology Section, National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai 400 016.
Bhattacharjee
L I
LI
Shah
B V
BV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome