Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on the quality of life in diabetic patients with muscle cramps.

Diabetic patients often suffer from muscle cramps. This study aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) of diabetic patients with and without muscle cramps and to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in diabetic patients with muscle cramps. A total of 91 patients with diabetes were enrolled in this study: 69 patients with muscle cramps and 22 patients without muscle cramps.

Association between Functional Capacity Decline and Nutritional Status Based on the Nutrition Screening Initiative Checklist: A 2-Year Cohort Study of Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly.

Aim: To assess whether nutritional status based on the Nutrition Screening Initiative Checklist is useful for predicting functional capacity decline in community-dwelling Japanese elderly.

Methods: This two-year observational cohort study included 536 community-dwelling Japanese (65 years and older at baseline) who were independent in both activities and instrumental activities of daily living. Demographic attributes, chronic illness, lifestyle-related habits, nutritional status, functional capacity, and anthropometric measurements were assessed, with decline in functional capacity used as the outcome measure.

Decreased β-Cell Function Is Associated with Reduced Skeletal Muscle Mass in Japanese Subjects without Diabetes.

Background: Decreased insulin secretion has a great impact on the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Japanese subjects. It is not clear whether β-cell function is related to muscle mass in subjects without diabetes. We investigated the relationship between β-cell function and skeletal muscle mass in Japanese subjects without diabetes.

Quality of life (QOL) of the community-dwelling elderly and associated factors: a population-based study in urban areas of China.

Objective: China has the most elderly people. Maintaining and improving the QOL of the elderly has emerged as a particularly important issue. This population-based study aimed to examine the QOL of the urban elderly and to clarify the associated factors.

Correlation between muscle strength and muscle mass, and their association with walking speed, in community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the correlation between muscle strength and muscle mass based on sex and age, and their association with walking speed, which is a health predictor for independent living, in elderly Japanese individuals.

Methods: The participants included 318 (111 men, 207 women) community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals aged ≥65 years. Knee extension strength was assessed as an indicator of muscle strength, and bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure muscle mass.

Sarcopenia and falls in community-dwelling elderly subjects in Japan: Defining sarcopenia according to criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People.

This study assessed the association between sarcopenia (using the definition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People) and fall in the past year among community-dwelling Japanese elderly. Subjects were 1110 community-dwelling Japanese aged 65 or older. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure muscle mass, grip strength to measure muscle strength, and usual walking speed to measure physical performance in a baseline study.

Association between skeletal muscle mass and insulin secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Recent research has indicated a relationship between skeletal muscle mass and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no study has examined the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and insulin secretion in patients with Japanese T2DM. This study aimed to fill this research gap by investigating the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and clinical parameters of T2DM with special reference to the effect of sex or age on the relationship.

[Factors related to sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly subjects in Japan].

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the factors associated with sarcopenia, defined as low muscle mass and strength and low physical performance, in community-dwelling elderly subjects in Japan.

Methods: The subjects included 1,074 elderly, community-dwelling Japanese people aged 65 years or older. We measured appendicular muscle mass (AMM) by bioelectrical impedance analysis, grip strength, and usual walking speed.

Handgrip strength as a predictor of higher-level competence decline among community-dwelling Japanese elderly in an urban area during a 4-year follow-up.

This 4-year observational study examined whether handgrip strength can predict functional decline in higher-level competence in a cohort of urban community-dwelling Japanese elderly. Subjects were 406 community-dwelling Japanese, 65 years or older at baseline who scored as "independent in higher-level competence" (11 and over) according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC). Independent variables were handgrip strength and usual walking speed at baseline survey.

The current situation of voluntary vaccination and the factors influencing its coverage among children in Takatsuki, Japan: focus on Hib and pneumococcal vaccines.

This study aimed to understand the current scenario of voluntary vaccination and the factors influencing its coverage among 18-month-old children of Takatsuki City, Japan. Based on 1167 parents responses, we found that voluntary vaccination coverage rates were low when compared with routine vaccination rates. The children who were not the first born of the family and who had young and poorly educated parents were less likely to receive voluntary vaccination.

Association of sarcopenia with functional decline in community-dwelling elderly subjects in Japan.

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the association of sarcopenia, defined by muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance, with functional disability from a 2-year cohort study of community-dwelling elderly Japanese people.

Method: Participants were 743 community-dwelling elderly Japanese people aged 65 years or older. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure muscle mass, grip strength to measure muscle strength, and usual walking speed to measure physical performance in a baseline study.

Occlusal support including that from artificial teeth as an indicator for health promotion among community-dwelling elderly in Japan.

Aim: The Eichner index (EI) is used to evaluate occlusal support. However, this index is based on existing natural tooth contact. This study aimed to establish whether a modified EI that included artificial teeth reflected individual oral condition of elderly people, and to clarify the relationship between this index and: (i) mental condition; (ii) physical condition; and (iii) physical function.

Association between sarcopenia and higher-level functional capacity in daily living in community-dwelling elderly subjects in Japan.

This study aimed to determine the association between sarcopenia, defined by muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, and higher-level functional capacity in community-dwelling Japanese elderly people. Subjects were 1158 elderly, community-dwelling Japanese people aged 65 or older. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure muscle mass, grip strength to measure muscle strength, and usual walking speed to measure physical performance.

[Comparison of diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome among Japanese university faculty].

Objectives: Diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome (Mets) in Japan have been set by the Medical Committee of the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences (Med), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Nat), specific health checkups (Ckup), and second medical examination by Worker's Accident Compensation Insurance System (Wor). The purpose of this study was to compare classification of the metabolic syndrome by different organizational criteria and to investigate underlying differences.

Methods: All faculty members of a university in Osaka, Japan, underwent mandatory health checkups in September 2008.

Association between muscle mass and disability in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in community-dwelling elderly in Japan.

This study describes the association between low muscle mass and disability in performing IADL in elderly, community-dwelling Japanese subjects. Subjects were 1268 elderly, community-dwelling Japanese aged 65 years or older. Low muscle mass was defined by appendicular muscle mass index (AMI, weight [kg]/height [m(2)]), measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

[Objective assessment of walking in housebound elderly who are able to go out alone].

Aim: The aim of this study was to objectively assess the risk parameters associated with walking in housebound elderly.

Methods: The subjects were 622 community-dwelling elderly (210 men and 375 women: age 65-85) with independence in activities of daily living (ADL). We administered questionnaires pertaining to housebound factors and measured walking parameters, twice, in May 2008 and May 2009.

[Aging changes in muscle mass of Japanese].

Aim: The purpose of this study is To examine the influence of age on muscle mass in a Japanese population for health promotion.

Methods: Subjects were 4,003 community-dwelling Japanese men and women. We employed four-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate upper and lower limbs, trunk and whole body muscle mass.

Association between the Trail Making Test and physical performance in elderly Japanese.

Aim: The Trail Making Test (TMT) is used in Western countries as an indicator of executive function, but there is little information regarding its use in Japan. Our previous initial study showed that the TMT was significantly associated with mobility-related functions among elderly Japanese living in the community and in this study, we increased the number of participants to clarify that result.

Methods: The TMT, comprised of two parts (part A and part B), was administered to 493 subjects aged 65 years or older (164 men, 329 women).

[Utility of color-changeable chewing gum to evaluate masticatory ability in community-dwelling elderly persons].

Purpose: The masticatory ability of community-dwelling elderly persons is often evaluated using subjective questionnaires. However, an objective evaluation would clearly be beneficial so that problems can be adequately addressed. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of color-changeable chewing gum to evaluate masticatory ability in community-dwelling elderly persons.

Obstacle-negotiating gait and related physical measurement indicators for the community-dwelling elderly in Japan.

The aim of this study is to assess obstacle-negotiating gait (ONG) and explore its related physical factors. Subjects comprised 571 community-dwelling persons (195 men and 376 women) age>or=65 years and without cognitive impairment. ONG, timed up and go (TUG), and stair-climbing were measured and their relations were assessed.

[A cross-sectional study on the relationship between the Trail Making Test and mobility-related functions in community-dwelling elderly].

Aim: The Trail Making Test (TMT) has been studied in western countries as an indicator of executive function, but there are few data on the TMT in Japan. This study was conducted to assess the characteristics of TMT and to explore the effect of TMT on physical function among community-dwelling elderly Japanese to promote health in the aged.

Methods: Subjects were 175 individuals aged>or=65 years (57 men and 118 women).

Assessment of the best gait parameter in relation to bone status in community-dwelling young-old and old-old women in Japan.

Even if physical exercise contributes to bone health of the elderly, intense activities have the potential to worsen the risk of osteoporosis. This fact and the inevitable decrease of mobility with age increase the likelihood that the mobility parameter that best benefits bone health differs with age. The aim of this study was to objectively assess the gait parameter that most strongly influences bone health of young-old and old-old women.

[Evaluation of the best indicator of muscle mass in community-dwelling elderly persons].

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the best way to indicate muscle mass of community-dwelling elderly men and women.

Methods: We recruited 398 elderly men and women (age range, 61-96, years) who use a community center and live in a metropolitan suburb. We measured appendicular and whole body muscle mass by using bioelectrical impedance analysis and analyzed our results in relation to indicators of physical function.