Objectively Measured Intensity-specific Physical Activity and Hippocampal Volume Among Community-dwelling Older Adults.

Background: The hippocampus is a brain structure important for memory and cognitive function. Physical activity may help prevent hippocampal atrophy. However, few studies have measured sedentary behavior (SB) and intensity-specific physical activity using an accelerometer.

Regional Disparities in Adherence to Guidelines for the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure.

Objective The incidence of chronic heart failure (CHF) is likely to keep increasing in Japan as the population ages, placing increased burdens on medical facilities, particularly on the limited numbers of rural hospitals. We explored the appropriateness of CHF treatment in rural areas in Japan. Methods We compared rates of adherence to therapeutic guidelines for CHF between residents with a left ventricular ejection fraction <35% living in urban areas (n = 207) and those in rural areas (n = 180).

Methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorders in the liver: Case presentation and mini-review.

Background: Immunosuppression is effective in treating a number of diseases, but adverse effects such as bone marrow suppression, infection, and oncogenesis are of concern. Methotrexate is a key immunosuppressant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Although it is effective for many patients, various side effects have been reported, one of the most serious being methotrexate-related lymphoproliferative disorder.

Influence of Adherence to Inhaled Corticosteroids and Inhaler Handling Errors on Asthma Control in a Japanese Population.

Objective High adherence to medications and accurate handling of inhaler devices are important for asthma management. However, few reports to date have simultaneously evaluated adherence and handling errors. We therefore investigated the adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and inhaler handling errors in the same patients in cooperation with pharmacists.

Performance of the Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (J-PHQ-9) for depression in primary care.

Objective: To assess the performance of the Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (J-PHQ-9) for depression in primary care.

Methods: Participants in both phases completed the J-PHQ-9, while patients in the second phase also completed the SF-8 (the short form for the health-related QOL scale SF-36). Subjects (n = 284; male = 107, female = 177) had to return the questionnaires to their health care professional within 48 hours and undergo a diagnostic evaluation interview based on the Japanese version of M.

Efficacy of using the Japanese version of the asthma control test for determing the level of asthma control in clinical settings.

Background: The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is frequently used for the evaluation of asthma control in clinical care setting because it does not require the use of pulmonary function tests, which can be difficult for general practitioners to use. However, few large-scale studies have investigated the efficacy of the Japanese version ACT (J-ACT) in actual use during clinical care.

Methods: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the J-ACT in a clinical care setting.

Assessment of bone status in inhaled corticosteroid user asthmatic patients with an ultrasound measurement method.

Background: The effect of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) on the bone status of asthmatic patients is still uncertain, because it can differ by race and because there have been few cases in Japan. In this study, the bone status of ICS users with asthma was evaluated in an actual clinical setting in Japan.

Methods: In 7 participating hospitals, ICS users with asthma and control subjects were age- and gender-matched and recruited into this study.

Contribution of aspirin-intolerant asthma to near fatal asthma based on a questionnaire survey in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

Objective: Prevention of deaths due to asthma is one of the most important issues in asthma management. However, there are few epidemiological studies of asthma deaths in Japan.

Methodology: Over an 8-week period in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, a questionnaire on asthma control and emergency episodes was administered to adult asthmatic patients.

The amplification of somatic symptoms in upper respiratory tract infections.

To assess the cultural differences in the role of somatosensory amplification in Japan and North America, we re-examined the role of psychological amplification of objective physical symptoms, as measured by the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), in 82 Japanese patients with upper-respiratory tract infections. Anxiety and depression were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We determined the association among continuous variables using the Spearman correlation coefficient.