Based on the community health examination data (1980-1996) for inhabitants of Takasu, a rural town in Central Hokkaido, long-term changes in body mass index and prevalence of anemia were studied.
The results were as follows:
1) Median BMIs increased gradually during the observation period in all age groups in males, whereas in females median BMI did not clearly change in their 50's to 70's and decreased gradually in their 30's and 40's.
2) Median BMIs increased gradually with age in both sexes.
3) Median blood hemoglobin levels did not clearly change during the observation period in both sexes.
4) The rate of iron-deficiency anemia was supposed to increase gradually during the observation period in females in their 30's and 40's.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze patient characteristics of cancer rehabilitation and outcomes at our hospital. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 580 patients, who underwent cancer rehabilitation at our hospital and rehabilitation outcome after therapy were investigated. The relationship between the initial Barthel index and discharge outcomes was investigated, with a special focus on cancer patients with bone metastasis. The Barthel index and performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) before and after rehabilitation were analyzed, and threshold value of home discharge was calculated from a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). General criteria for home discharge from our hospital included independence in performing basic activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, and toileting or availability of home support from a family member/caregiver. RESULTS: The outcomes after rehabilitation among all the patients were as follows: discharge home 59%, death 13%, and others 27%. Statistical differences were observed between the initial and final values of the Barthel index in patients with bone metastasis, who could be discharged home (p=0.012). ROC analysis of the initial Barthel index for predicting home discharge revealed a threshold value of 60, sensitivity of 0.76, and specificity of 0.72. CONCLUSION: The patients with bone metastasis had a lower rate of home discharge and a higher rate of mortality than all the study patients who underwent cancer rehabilitation at our hospital. It is proposed that at the time of initiation of rehabilitation for patients with bone metastasis, an initial Barthel index lower than 60 might predict a worse outcome than home discharge.
Activities of Daily Living ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Baths ; Humans ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome