Smoking Status and Premature Death Among Japanese Rural Community-Dwelling Persons.

Smoking status is known to be an independent and significant predictor of health outcomes related to aging and plays a crucial role in overall mortality rates. This cohort study investigated the relationship between smoking status and survival outcomes over follow-up periods of 9 and 21 years. The sample consisted of 3526 participants with a mean age of 64 ± 12 years, 44.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is a predictor of all-cause mortality in a rural Japanese population.

Background: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a sensitive marker of inflammation. This study aimed to determine whether increased hsCRP levels are associated with all-cause mortality rate.

Methods: We examined data for participants from the 2002 Nomura Cohort Study who attended follow-ups for 20 years (follow-up rate: 93.

Thigh-hip ratio is significantly associated with all-cause mortality among Japanese community-dwelling men.

Anthropometric evaluation is a simple yet essential indicator of muscle and fat mass when studying life prognosis in aging. This study aimed to investigate the contributions of anthropometric measurements, independent of body mass index, to measures of all-cause mortality. We examined data for 1,704 participants from the 2014 Nomura Cohort Study who attended follow-ups for the subsequent eight years (follow-up rate: 93.

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio is a useful predictor of all-cause mortality among hypertensive patients.

Background: Many of the existing research studies have shown that serum uric acid (SUA) is a predictor of renal disease progression. More recently, studies have suggested an association between renal function-normalized SUA and all-cause mortality in adults. This study aims to examine the association between the ratio of SUA to creatinine (SUA/Cr) and all-cause mortality with a focus on hypertensive patients.

Change in Serum Uric Acid is a Useful Predictor of All-Cause Mortality among Community-Dwelling Persons.

There is limited research on the association between longitudinal variability in serum uric acid (SUA) and all-cause mortality in the general population, although recent studies have suggested that changes in SUA are associated with all-cause mortality in adults. This study aims to examine the association between percentage change in SUA (%dSUA = 100 × (cohort 2 SUA - cohort 1 SUA)/(time × cohort 1 SUA) and all-cause mortality. This study is based on 1,301 participants, of whom 543 were male (63 ± 11 years) and 758 were female (63 ± 9 years).

Interactive effect of serum uric acid and handgrip strength on all-cause mortality among Japanese community-dwelling people.

Background: Uric acid is both a pro-oxidant and an antioxidant. This study examined whether serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular biomarkers in members of the general population who had varying levels of handgrip strength (HGS).

Methods: The analysis is based on 1736 participants, of whom 785 were male (69 ± 11 years old) and 951 were female (69 ± 9 years old).

Relationship between rural self-efficacy and rural career intent after rural clinical training: a study on medical students in Japan.

Background: In Japan, community medicine clerkships facilitate positive attitudes toward rural medical practice and encourage rural recruitment. Rural self-efficacy has been shown to influence rural career intent following a rural clinical placement. However, the impact of subjective difficulties of living in a rural area on future rural career intent is also important.

Hyperuricemia is associated with all-cause mortality among males and females: Findings from a study on Japanese community-dwelling individuals.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) is a key determinant of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Studies have also shown that SUA independently impacts age-related health outcomes, although their findings differ between males and females. Furthermore, predictive data on all-cause mortality remain limited, particularly for the Japanese population.

Association between alanine aminotransferase and all-cause mortality rate: Findings from a study on Japanese community-dwelling individuals.

Background: This study examined the relationship between survival prognosis and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a critical factor contributing to aging-related health and mortality. The research is based on a follow-up study with 6- and 10-year intervals.

Methods: The participants included 1,610 males (63 ± 14 years old) and 2,074 females (65 ± 12 years old) who were part of the Nomura cohort study conducted in 2002 (first cohort) and 2014 (second cohort).

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol and all-cause mortality rate: findings from a study on Japanese community-dwelling persons.

Background: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) independently impacts aging-related health outcomes and plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, there are limited predictive data on all-cause mortality, especially for the Japanese community population. In this study, it was examined whether LDL-C is related to survival prognosis based on 7 or 10 years of follow-up.

Thigh circumference and handgrip strength are significantly associated with all-cause mortality: findings from a study on Japanese community-dwelling persons.

Purpose: In addition to playing a critical role in cardiovascular health, muscle mass and strength independently impact aging-related health outcomes in adults. There are limited predictive data for all-cause mortality, particularly for community-dwelling persons in Japan. This study examined whether handgrip strength (HGS) and thigh circumference are related to survival prognosis based on a 6-year follow-up period.

Alcohol consumption and serum uric acid are synergistically associated with renal dysfunction among community-dwelling persons.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) is a key risk factor contributing to renal failure, a serious public health problem. However, few studies have examined whether the interactive relationship between alcohol consumption and SUA is independently associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods: Our sample comprised 742 men aged 69 ± 11 years (mean ± standard deviation) and 977 women aged 69 ± 10 years from a rural area.

High serum uric acid within the normal range is a useful predictor of hypertension among Japanese community-dwelling elderly women.

Background: The risk associated with serum uric acid (SUA) levels when within the normal range is unknown. This study aims to examine whether SUA within the normal range is a predictor of hypertension.

Methods: The subjects comprised 704 men aged 71 ± 9 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 946 women aged 70 ± 8 years recruited for a survey at the community based annual medical check-up.

Usefulness of waist-to-height ratio in screening incident hypertension among Japanese community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Background: The incidence of hypertension is increasing worldwide and obesity is one of the most significant risk factors. Obesity can be defined by various anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). This study examined a range of anthropometric indices and their relationships with hypertension.

Increased body mass index above the upper normal limit is significantly associated with renal dysfunction among community-dwelling persons.

Purpose: Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-to-height that is commonly used to classify people as underweight, overweight or obesity, and high BMI has been clearly linked to increased risk of illness in adults. However, few studies have examined the significance of upper normal weight as a risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general Japanese population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study designed as part of the Nomura study.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a predictor of renal dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been widely evaluated as a biomarker in various medical and surgical prognoses, but its usefulness in diabetic kidney disease is not yet known.

Methods: This prospective observational study included outpatients, comprised of 184 men aged 73 ± 11 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 174 women aged 76 ± 10 years at baseline, from a rural hospital. We examined the relationship between baseline NLR calculated by analyzing the differential leukocyte counts in the complete blood count and the 2-year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline rate (i.

Interactive association of baseline and changes in serum uric acid on renal dysfunction among community-dwelling persons.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern. Baseline serum uric acid (SUA) levels were independently associated with incident renal dysfunction, but whether baseline and changes in SUA produce an interactive effect on renal dysfunction remains unclear.

Methods: The subjects comprised 460 men aged 68 ± 10 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 635 women aged 68 ± 9 years from a rural village.

Metabolic syndrome is a predictor of decreased renal function among community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide with the continuous increase in obesity prevalence. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also a major public health problem, but there is controversy over whether baseline MetS is a predictor of decreased renal function among Japanese community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study designed as part of the Nomura study.

Total bilirubin independently predicts incident metabolic syndrome among community-dwelling women.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to the increased risk of major cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The link between high serum total bilirubin (TBL) is cross-sectionally related to MetS and its components. However, whether serum TBL predicts incidence of MetS and its components remains inconclusive.

Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio is a useful predictor of renal dysfunction among diabetic persons.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) has been shown to be a predictor of renal disease progression in most but not all studies. This study aims to test whether renal function-normalized SUA {i.e, SUA/creatinine (Cr) ratio} is a predictor of decreased renal function among diabetic patients.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio is a Predictive Factor of Malignant Potential for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the pancreas.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are cystic neoplasms with the potential for progression to pancreatic cancer. Accurate prediction of the malignant potential is challenging and a proper treatment strategy has not been well established. Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biomarker of the malignant potential in patients with several types of malignancy.

Usefulness of waist-to-height ratio in screening incident metabolic syndrome among Japanese community-dwelling elderly individuals.

This study examined a range of anthropometric indices and their relationships with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Despite recommendations that central obesity assessment should be employed as a marker of metabolic health, there is no consensus regarding the protocol for measurement. The present study included 720 men aged 71 ± 8 years and 919 women aged 71 ± 7 years from a rural village.

Serum Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio Independently Predicts Incident Metabolic Syndrome Among Community-Dwelling Persons.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to the increased risk of major cardiovascular disease. The link between high serum uric acid (SUA) and creatinine (Cr) levels is causally related to MetS and its components. However, whether renal function-normalized SUA [i.

Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with early renal dysfunction and albuminuria among diabetic patients.

Purpose: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was widely studied as a prognostic marker in various medical and surgical specialties, but its significance in diabetic kidney disease is not yet established.

Methods: The subjects comprised 199 men aged 73 ± 11 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 187 women aged 77 ± 10 years from a rural hospital. We examined the relationship between NLR calculated by analyzing differential leukocyte count in complete blood picture and renal function evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Group equation and urinary albumin excretion (UAE).

Baseline and changes in serum uric acid independently predict glucose control among community-dwelling women.

Background: Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with glucose control. However, whether baseline and changes in SUA predict long-term follow-up glucose control [e.g.