Publications by authors named "A Babazono"
Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels often increase in metabolic diseases. This study was conducted to determine which liver enzymes are strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), how they interact to produce different probability estimates, and what cutoff levels should be used to guide clinical decision-making. The researchers examined the insurance-based medical checkup data of 293,610 employees ≥35 years years of age, who underwent medical checkups between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Japan has implemented a national lifestyle guidance intervention programme for potential metabolic syndrome among adults aged 40-74 years; however, there is limited evidence regarding the causal impact of this intervention. The study aims to determine the causal effect of this intervention on health outcomes and health care utilisation.
Methods: We performed a regression discontinuity design study.
Article Synopsis
- This study analyzed the effects of a policy that cut reimbursement fees for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) on the number of procedures performed on older adults with dementia.
- Using data from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, the researchers evaluated PEG procedure trends over several years through an interrupted time series design, comparing results before and after three policy interventions.
- Findings showed a significant drop in PEG procedures only after the third intervention, but overall, the policy had a minimal impact, suggesting financial incentives alone may not effectively curb unnecessary PEG usage in elderly patients, urging a need for broader health system reforms.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated how ongoing use of home health care resources impacts end-of-life care for older cancer patients living at home.
- Conducted in Fukuoka Prefecture, it analyzed data from 6,435 patients who died between April 2016 and March 2019, focusing on different types of home care support clinics and nursing care.
- Findings revealed that various home care resources, especially enhanced HCSCs with beds, significantly increase the likelihood of patients receiving care at home during their final days.