Publications by authors named "Miho Higashi"

Introduction: Reduced tongue pressure is one of the causes of dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dental findings and tongue pressure, and whether prosthetic treatment prevents reduced tongue pressure.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study.

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Even though higher serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels have a positive effect on preventing reduction in muscle strength, a U-shaped association between IGF-1 and mortality has been reported. Since a recent experimental study revealed that IGF-1 is associated with atherosclerotic lesion formation, the inflammatory status of atherosclerosis could act as a confounding factor on the association between IGF-1 levels and reduced muscle strength. This study aimed to clarify the atherosclerosis-specific association between IGF-1 levels and reduced muscle strength.

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Background: Age-related low-grade inflammation causing endothelial disruption influences sarcopenia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. We reported previously that maintenance of muscle strength in elderly hypertensive men with high platelet levels is positively associated with subclinical atherosclerosis but not in those with low platelet levels. Since reduced tongue pressure is related to sarcopenia, tongue pressure may be associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive elderly subjects, and platelet levels may function as an indicator of the association between tongue pressure and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

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Objectives: Social environment is often associated with health outcomes, but epidemiological evidence for its effect on oral frailty, a potential risk factor for aspiration, is sparse. This study aimed to assess the association between social environment and tongue pressure, as an important measure of oral function. The study focused on family structure, social networks both with and beyond neighbours, and participation in leisure activities.

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Background: Asian-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) (rs3782886) is reported to be associated with myocardial infarction; sarcopenia is reported to be associated with coronary subclinical atherosclerosis. On the other hand, short stature has been revealed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, no studies have reported on the association between sarcopenia and short stature nor on the impact of rs3782886 on this association.

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Aim: Maximum isometric tongue pressure (MIP) seems to have a diagnostic value for oral phase dysphagia. The present study aimed to examine the association between MIP and frailty, and to assess the screening validity of MIP for physical frailty.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study, and enrolled participants aged ≥60 years from Japanese national medical check-ups in 2015 and 2016.

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Aim: Recent geriatric studies have focused on maximum voluntary tongue pressure against the palate (MTP) as a diagnostic value for dysphagia, as dysphagia causes aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia can also cause water intake difficulties, resulting in hypernatremia by indicating the presence of hyperosmotic dehydration. However, no studies have reported on a possible association between reduced MTP and serum sodium levels.

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