Objective: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of cases in which walking level improves even in the later stages of convalescent rehabilitation, and to predict such cases.Methods: The Walking LEVEL Scale (WaLS) was measured over time in 192 patients (brain-related and orthopedic diseases) admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward. The “delayed recovery group (DR)” was defined as the group showing improvement of WaLS in the later period, while the “non-delayed recovery group (NDR)” was defined as the group for whom improvement of WaLS did not extend into the same period. Then, changes in WaLS over time and each factor were compared to identify differences between DR and NDR. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity, likelihood ratios for the relevant factors were calculated and examined for the predictability of DR utilizing Bayesian estimation.Results: WaLS temporal changes showed a sigmoid curve only in the DR of brain-related disease. Other groups showed logarithmic curves. The WaLS score at admission was selected as a significant variable. The positive and negative likelihood ratios for the score at cutoff values of 4 or less were 2.00 and 0.19 for brain-related disease, and 1.49 and 0.63 for orthopedic disease, respectively. Adopting the DR frequency of the participants in this study as the prior probability, the DR posterior probability of brain-related disease was calculated to be 5% using the negative likelihood ratio.Conclusion: The negative likelihood ratio of the WaLS score at admission is useful for predicting DR for brain-related disease.

Purpose: Romosozumab reportedly increases bone density in patients with severe osteoporosis; however, data on its clinical effects are limited. We conducted a multicenter retrospective survey to study the bone density-increasing effects of romosozumab and blood test-based predictive factors in patients with severe osteoporosis, examining its effects in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study. The subjects were patients with severe osteoporosis who were treated with romosozumab at the participating facilities. The increase in bone density was assessed by comparing bone density changes (as a percentage) in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur before and 12 months after administration using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between changes in bone density at each site and pre-treatment bone metabolism markers (Tracp 5b, P1NP), serum calcium levels, nutritional status [Conut score: albumin, total cholesterol (TCho), and total lymphocyte count], and kidney function (eGFR) was assessed. Results: In both naïve patients and those switching from bone resorption inhibitors, the bone density increased significantly. In naïve patients, eGFR were positively associated with bone density in the total femur. In cases of switching from bone resorption inhibitors, correlations were found between Tracp 5b and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), as well as between Tracp 5b, Alb, T-Cho, and eGFR in the total femur BMD. Conclusion Romosozumab administration significantly increases bone density in osteoporosis, and assessing key predictive factors is necessary to ensure clinical effectiveness.

Purpose: Romosozumab reportedly increases bone density in patients with severe osteoporosis; however, data on its clinical effects are limited. We conducted a multicenter retrospective survey to study the bone density-increasing effects of romosozumab and blood test-based predictive factors in patients with severe osteoporosis, examining its effects in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study. The subjects were patients with severe osteoporosis who were treated with romosozumab at the participating facilities. The increase in bone density was assessed by comparing bone density changes (as a percentage) in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur before and 12 months after administration using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between changes in bone density at each site and pre-treatment bone metabolism markers (Tracp 5b, P1NP), serum calcium levels, nutritional status [Conut score: albumin, total cholesterol (TCho), and total lymphocyte count], and kidney function (eGFR) was assessed. Results: In both naïve patients and those switching from bone resorption inhibitors, the bone density increased significantly. In naïve patients, eGFR were positively associated with bone density in the total femur. In cases of switching from bone resorption inhibitors, correlations were found between Tracp 5b and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), as well as between Tracp 5b, Alb, T-Cho, and eGFR in the total femur BMD. Conclusion Romosozumab administration significantly increases bone density in osteoporosis, and assessing key predictive factors is necessary to ensure clinical effectiveness.

Purpose: Romosozumab reportedly increases bone density in patients with severe osteoporosis; however, data on its clinical effects are limited. We conducted a multicenter retrospective survey to study the bone density-increasing effects of romosozumab and blood test-based predictive factors in patients with severe osteoporosis, examining its effects in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study. The subjects were patients with severe osteoporosis who were treated with romosozumab at the participating facilities. The increase in bone density was assessed by comparing bone density changes (as a percentage) in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur before and 12 months after administration using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between changes in bone density at each site and pre-treatment bone metabolism markers (Tracp 5b, P1NP), serum calcium levels, nutritional status [Conut score: albumin, total cholesterol (TCho), and total lymphocyte count], and kidney function (eGFR) was assessed. Results: In both naïve patients and those switching from bone resorption inhibitors, the bone density increased significantly. In naïve patients, eGFR were positively associated with bone density in the total femur. In cases of switching from bone resorption inhibitors, correlations were found between Tracp 5b and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), as well as between Tracp 5b, Alb, T-Cho, and eGFR in the total femur BMD. Conclusion Romosozumab administration significantly increases bone density in osteoporosis, and assessing key predictive factors is necessary to ensure clinical effectiveness.

Purpose: Romosozumab reportedly increases bone density in patients with severe osteoporosis; however, data on its clinical effects are limited. We conducted a multicenter retrospective survey to study the bone density-increasing effects of romosozumab and blood test-based predictive factors in patients with severe osteoporosis, examining its effects in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study. The subjects were patients with severe osteoporosis who were treated with romosozumab at the participating facilities. The increase in bone density was assessed by comparing bone density changes (as a percentage) in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur before and 12 months after administration using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between changes in bone density at each site and pre-treatment bone metabolism markers (Tracp 5b, P1NP), serum calcium levels, nutritional status [Conut score: albumin, total cholesterol (TCho), and total lymphocyte count], and kidney function (eGFR) was assessed. Results: In both naïve patients and those switching from bone resorption inhibitors, the bone density increased significantly. In naïve patients, eGFR were positively associated with bone density in the total femur. In cases of switching from bone resorption inhibitors, correlations were found between Tracp 5b and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), as well as between Tracp 5b, Alb, T-Cho, and eGFR in the total femur BMD. Conclusion Romosozumab administration significantly increases bone density in osteoporosis, and assessing key predictive factors is necessary to ensure clinical effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Deterioration in lifestyle associated with poor mental health could be an important concern during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, few studies have investigated the association between mental health status and lifestyle changes during the pandemic in nationwide Japanese general population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using the data among 1,546 participants of the follow-up study of NIPPON DATA2010 in 2021. Recent mental status, as assessed using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale, and lifestyle changes compared to before the pandemic were determined using self-reported questionnaires. Some lifestyle changes such as decreased physical activity were defined as undesirable, whereas others such as decreased alcohol drinking were defined as desirable. The participants were divided into three groups based on the K6 scores: the K6<5, 5≤K6<9, and K6≥9 groups. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the K6 groups for each lifestyle change compared with that in the K6<5 group were estimated after adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: The ORs of the K6≥9 group for all undesirable lifestyle changes were significantly high, especially increased alcohol drinking (OR 4.64; 95% CI, 2.71-7.93), and decreased physical activity (OR 4.63; 95% CI, 3.29-6.52). Among the desirable changes, the OR of the 5≤K6<9 group was significantly high for increased eating home cooking. CONCLUSIONS Poor mental health showed a significant association with undesirable lifestyle changes, especially increased alcohol drinking and decreased physical activity, in a nationwide general Japanese population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Mental Health/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Life Style ; Adult ; Aged ; Exercise ; Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; East Asian People

Purpose: Romosozumab reportedly increases bone density in patients with severe osteoporosis; however, data on its clinical effects are limited. We conducted a multicenter retrospective survey to study the bone density-increasing effects of romosozumab and blood test-based predictive factors in patients with severe osteoporosis, examining its effects in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective observational study. The subjects were patients with severe osteoporosis who were treated with romosozumab at the participating facilities. The increase in bone density was assessed by comparing bone density changes (as a percentage) in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur before and 12 months after administration using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between changes in bone density at each site and pre-treatment bone metabolism markers (Tracp 5b, P1NP), serum calcium levels, nutritional status [Conut score: albumin, total cholesterol (TCho), and total lymphocyte count], and kidney function (eGFR) was assessed. Results: In both naïve patients and those switching from bone resorption inhibitors, the bone density increased significantly. In naïve patients, eGFR were positively associated with bone density in the total femur. In cases of switching from bone resorption inhibitors, correlations were found between Tracp 5b and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), as well as between Tracp 5b, Alb, T-Cho, and eGFR in the total femur BMD. Conclusion Romosozumab administration significantly increases bone density in osteoporosis, and assessing key predictive factors is necessary to ensure clinical effectiveness.

Objective: This study investigated and compared the responsiveness of the Walking LEVEL Scale (WaLS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM)-walk item, and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) in patients hospitalized in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward (CRW).Methods: One hundred three patients participated in this study. Physical or occupational therapists assessed the three scales at two times of admission and discharge to determine the responsiveness. The amount of change, ceiling and floor effect, Effect Size (ES), and Standardized Response Mean (SRM) determined the responsiveness to change from admission to discharge. Their analysis was by severity and disease.Results: The amount of change in WaLS was larger than that of the FIM-walk item and FAC, except for the moderate gait disability group. More ceiling and floor effects were observed in FIM-walk item evaluation. Regardless of severity or disease, all rating scales showed moderate or better responsiveness (ES > 0.5). When ceiling or floor effects were observed, ES tended to be overestimated. The SRM of WaLS was larger than that of the other scales, except for the mild gait disability group.Conclusion: The results support WaLS as the most suitable instrument to detect walking level changes over time for patients in CRW.

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic intractable disease characterized by systemic demarcated erythema and rashes with silvery-white scales. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors, one of the biological agents, are new therapeutic options for psoriasis vulgaris. However, the number of cases of paradoxical reactions has been increasing in psoriasis patients treated with TNF α inhibitors. Here, we show a successful case indicating the efficacy of Kampo formulas for treating an infliximab-associated paradoxical reaction. The patient was an 83-year-old man. He was diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris at the age of 69. While receiving infliximab injection and topical steroids, he presented and was admitted to our hospital after painful erythema appeared on his trunk and limbs. He was diagnosed with a paradoxical reaction related to infliximab. We identified the patient’s painful edematous erythema and systemic coldness. Therefore, we stopped infliximab and started to administer eppikajutsubutokadaio. His erythema and other symptoms gradually improved, and he was discharged on the 11th day of hospitalization. Eppikajutsubutokadaio has potential efficacy for psoriasis vulgaris with TNF α inhibitor-associated paradoxical reaction.

To promote the stockpiling of regular medicines for disasters (SMD), we investigated SMD rates and clarified the relationship between SMD status (Yes or No) and the characteristics of patients with chronic diseases. A survey was provided to patients visiting the pharmacies in Hokkaido. SMD was defined as a patient having a supply of regular medicine for 7 days or more and replacing with new medicine within one year. Of a total of 537 participants (51.0% male; mean age 65.8 years), 61.1% had experienced a major disaster. The SMD rate was extremely low at 15.3%. The median score for a patient’s understanding of the regular medicine names (5-point scale: 1＝hardly understood, 5＝almost understood) was 2. The median number of monthly pharmacy visits was 0.8. 5.4% were recommended SMD by physicians or pharmacists. Results from multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that positive patient characteristics included age (OR＝1.154, 95%CI [1.026-1.298], P＝0.017), understanding of the regular medicine names (1.724, [1.039-2.859], P＝0.035), and recommendation of SMD by physicians or pharmacists (5.991, [2.616-13.722], P<0.001). A negative patient characteristic was the number of pharmacy visits (0.587, [0.383-0.899], P＝0.014). The most influential positive factor was the recommendation of SMD by physicians or pharmacists; however, only 5.4% of the participants had experienced this. The findings of this study indicated important that health care providers and the government to work together to devise easy-to-understand measures to inform local residents about the importance of SMD and how to them, conduct educational activities.