Publications by authors named "Rena Kashima"

Background: The utility of screening for the degree of common carotid artery (CCA) stenosis as a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a general population remains unclear.

Methods And Results: We studied 4775 Japanese men and women whose CCA was measured using bilateral carotid ultrasonography at baseline (April 1994-August 2001). We calculated the degree of stenosis as a percentage of the stenotic area of the lumen in the cross-section perpendicular to the long axis.

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This study aimed to investigate the association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and subsequent risk of dementia using a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. We searched PubMed and Scopus for eligible studies that investigated the association between HDP and dementia risk. Using the random-effects model, pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of dementia risk in women with HDP were calculated.

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Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries, but its role in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) needs further investigation. Herein, we studied the association between NAFLD and the risk of CVD, stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD) among Japanese people.

Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed data from 2,517 men and 3,958 women, aged 30-84 years, who were registered in the Suita Study.

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Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Life satisfaction is a measure of mental health with a potential cardioprotective role. This study aimed to investigate the association between life satisfaction and ASCVD risk in the general Japanese population.

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Background: We previously developed risk models predicting stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Japanese people from the Suita Study. Yet, applying these models at the national level was challenging because some of the included risk factors differed from those collected in the Japanese governmental health check-ups, such as Tokutei-Kenshin. We, therefore, conducted this study to develop new risk models for stroke, CHD, and atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), based on data from the Suita Study.

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Background: Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity with potential cardioprotective merits. Herein, we investigated the association between stair climbing and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) incidence among Japanese people.

Methods: This prospective cohort study used data from 7,282 participants, aged 30-84 years, registered in the Suita Study and free from stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD).

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This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cognitive impairment. We used data from 6215 Japanese individuals registered in the Suita Study. Cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≤ 26.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most diagnosed arrhythmia in clinical settings. The fatty liver index (FLI) is a marker of liver steatosis with potential cardiovascular implications. This study investigated whether FLI could predict the risk of AF.

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Introduction: Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), are markers of liver diseases with potential cardiovascular implications. This study aimed to investigate the prospective association between liver enzymes and stroke risk.

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Objective: Hormonal changes during menopause can disturb serum cholesterol which is closely associated with cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the prospective association between serum cholesterol and heart failure (HF) risk in postmenopausal women.

Methods: We analyzed data from 1,307 Japanese women, aged 55 to 94 years.

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Background: Alcohol consumption is a modifiable lifestyle, but its role in heart failure (HF) development is controversial. Herein, we investigated the prospective association between alcohol consumption and HF risk.

Methods: A total of 2,712 participants (1,149 men and 1,563 women) from the Suita Study were followed up every two years.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to determine how common a family history of cancer is among participants in the Japanese National Center Cohort Collaborative for Advancing Population Health.
  • The results showed that the prevalence of family history of cancer increases with age, with 10.51% in younger participants (15-39 years) and 47.11% in older adults (70 years and above).
  • Gastric cancer was the most frequently reported among family members at 11.97%, with women having a higher prevalence (34.32%) than men (28.75%), indicating a need for focused cancer screening services.
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Hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart failure (HF). Since hypertension definition varies across guidelines, identifying blood pressure (BP) categories that should be targeted to prevent HF is required. We, therefore, investigated the association between hypertension per the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and 2018 European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH) guidelines and HF risk.

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Hypertension is the most critical risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since the definition of hypertension varies across guidelines, identifying blood pressure (BP) categories that should be targeted to prevent CVD is needed. Herein, we investigated the association between BP per the 2019 Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH) guidelines and the risk of CVD, stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD) using data from 7,643 participants (30-84 years) registered in the Suita Study.

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Background: Engaging in leisure activities was suggested to protect older adults from dementia. However, the association between playing a musical instrument and the risk of dementia is not well-established. This study aimed to investigate this association in older adults using a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study examines the link between white blood cell (WBC) count and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a Japanese population, gathering data from almost 7,000 people over a median of 14.6 years.
  • - Results showed that individuals with the highest WBC count were 57% more likely to develop AF compared to those with the lowest counts, with a stronger association found in women and current smokers.
  • - The findings suggest that higher WBC counts indicate increased AF risk, particularly among smoking women, highlighting the importance of monitoring inflammation levels in assessing cardiovascular health.
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Objective: The association between serum uric acid levels and the risk of diabetes mellitus in women stratified by menopausal status is not well-established. Therefore, we investigated this association among a cohort of Japanese urban women.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 3,304 women (1,252 premenopausal and 2,052 postmenopausal), aged 30 to 79 years, with no prior cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, and enrolled from a general urban population.

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Aim: We aimed to investigate the combined impact of liver enzymes and alcohol consumption on the diabetes risk.

Methods: Data on 5972 non-diabetic participants aged 30-79 years from the Suita study were analyzed. Diabetes incidence was surveyed every 2 years.

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Background: Although the age-adjusted incidence and mortality of cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been decreasing steadily in Japan, both diseases remain major contributors to morbidity and mortality along with the aging society. Herein, we aim to provide a prescription of 10 health tips for long and healthy life named the "Lifelong Health Support 10 (LHS10)."

Method: The LHS10 was developed by the preventive medicine specialists at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Suita, where it has been used for health guidance to prevent CVD, cancer, and cognitive decline in addition to their major risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

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ECG screening can detect people at risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). Recent literature indicated that QRS transitional zone rotations could predict several cardiovascular events. Herein, we investigated the association between QRS transitional zone rotations and the future risk of AF.

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Background: A protective role for physical activity against the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been suggested. Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity that many people practice. Herein, we investigated the association between stair climbing and the risk of AF in a Japanese population.

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Background: Short and long sleep durations are common behaviors that could predict several cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between sleep duration and atrial fibrillation (AF) risk is not well-established. AF is preventable, and risk prevention approaches could reduce its occurrence.

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