Objective: To implement early rehabilitation interventions by physical therapists is recommended. However, the effectiveness of early rehabilitation for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the prevention of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is unclear. We analyzed a multicenter prospective observational study (Post-Intensive Care outcomeS in patients with COronaVIrus Disease 2019) to examine the association between early rehabilitation interventions and PICS physical impairment. Methods: An analysis was performed on COVID-19 patients who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between March 2020 and March 2021, and required mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was the incidence of PICS physical impairment (Barthel Index≤90) after one year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between early rehabilitation interventions and PICS physical impairment by adjusting ICU mobility scale (IMS) during seven-day following ICU admission, and clinically relevant risk factors. Results: The analysis included 259 patients, 54 of whom developed PICS physical impairment one year later. In 81 patients, physical therapists intervened within seven days of ICU admission. There was no significant difference in mean IMS by day seven of admission between the early and non-early rehabilitation patients (0.70 and 0.61, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that early rehabilitation interventions were significantly associated with a low incidence of PICS physical impairment (odds ratio, 0.294; 95% confidence interval, 0.123–0.706; p=0.006). Conclusion Early rehabilitation interventions by physical therapists were an independent factor associated with the decreased development of PICS physical impairment at one year, even though early rehabilitation had no significant effect on IMS.

Objective: To implement early rehabilitation interventions by physical therapists is recommended. However, the effectiveness of early rehabilitation for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the prevention of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is unclear. We analyzed a multicenter prospective observational study (Post-Intensive Care outcomeS in patients with COronaVIrus Disease 2019) to examine the association between early rehabilitation interventions and PICS physical impairment. Methods: An analysis was performed on COVID-19 patients who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between March 2020 and March 2021, and required mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was the incidence of PICS physical impairment (Barthel Index≤90) after one year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between early rehabilitation interventions and PICS physical impairment by adjusting ICU mobility scale (IMS) during seven-day following ICU admission, and clinically relevant risk factors. Results: The analysis included 259 patients, 54 of whom developed PICS physical impairment one year later. In 81 patients, physical therapists intervened within seven days of ICU admission. There was no significant difference in mean IMS by day seven of admission between the early and non-early rehabilitation patients (0.70 and 0.61, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that early rehabilitation interventions were significantly associated with a low incidence of PICS physical impairment (odds ratio, 0.294; 95% confidence interval, 0.123–0.706; p=0.006). Conclusion Early rehabilitation interventions by physical therapists were an independent factor associated with the decreased development of PICS physical impairment at one year, even though early rehabilitation had no significant effect on IMS.

Objective: To implement early rehabilitation interventions by physical therapists is recommended. However, the effectiveness of early rehabilitation for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the prevention of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is unclear. We analyzed a multicenter prospective observational study (Post-Intensive Care outcomeS in patients with COronaVIrus Disease 2019) to examine the association between early rehabilitation interventions and PICS physical impairment. Methods: An analysis was performed on COVID-19 patients who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between March 2020 and March 2021, and required mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was the incidence of PICS physical impairment (Barthel Index≤90) after one year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between early rehabilitation interventions and PICS physical impairment by adjusting ICU mobility scale (IMS) during seven-day following ICU admission, and clinically relevant risk factors. Results: The analysis included 259 patients, 54 of whom developed PICS physical impairment one year later. In 81 patients, physical therapists intervened within seven days of ICU admission. There was no significant difference in mean IMS by day seven of admission between the early and non-early rehabilitation patients (0.70 and 0.61, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that early rehabilitation interventions were significantly associated with a low incidence of PICS physical impairment (odds ratio, 0.294; 95% confidence interval, 0.123–0.706; p=0.006). Conclusion Early rehabilitation interventions by physical therapists were an independent factor associated with the decreased development of PICS physical impairment at one year, even though early rehabilitation had no significant effect on IMS.

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with OFs at Fujieda Heisei Memorial Hospital were divided into three groups: nonsurgical therapy, balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), and open surgery groups. The mOF score was calculated, and the levels of independence and posttreatment imaging data were compared between patients treated and not treated according to the mOF score-based treatment recommendation. Results: In total, 118 patients were included (nonsurgical therapy, n=57; BKP, n=48; open surgery, n=13), of whom 100 (85%) received treatment consistent with the mOF score-based treatment recommendation. In the BKP and open surgery groups, the mOF scorebased treatment recommendations were consistent with the actual treatment in 93% of the patients. However, in the nonsurgical group, the mOF score-based treatment recommendation was not consistent with the actual treatment in 25% of the patients. In this group, patients not treated according to the mOF score had significantly shorter vertebral body height, greater local kyphosis, and smaller sacral slope after treatment than patients treated according to the mOF score-based treatment recommendation. Conclusions In the BKP and open surgery groups, the mOF scores were consistent with actual clinical selection. In the nonsurgical therapy group, patients not treated according to the mOF score-based treatment recommendation exhibited severe vertebral body deformity and a less well-balanced spine shape after treatment. The mOF score may help in selecting suitable treatments for OFs.

Background: Poor lifestyle habits may worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. This study investigated the association between glycemic control status and hepatic histological findings to elucidate the effect of glycemic control on NAFLD. Methods: This observational study included 331 patients diagnosed with NAFLD by liver biopsy. Effects of the glycemic control status on histological findings of NAFLD were evaluated by comparing the following four glycemic status groups defined by the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level at the time of NAFLD diagnosis: ≤5.4%, 5.5%–6.4%, 6.5%–7.4%, and ≥7.5%. Results: Compared with the lowest HbA1c group (≤5.4%), the higher HbA1c groups (5.5%–6.4%, 6.5%–7.4%, and ≥7.5%) were associated with advanced liver fibrosis and high NAFLD activity score (NAS). On multivariate analysis, an HbA1c level of 6.5%– 7.4% group was significantly associated with advanced fibrosis compared with the lowest HbA1c group after adjusting for age, sex, hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine levels. When further controlling for body mass index and uric acid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, the higher HbA1c groups were significantly associated with advanced fibrosis compared with the lowest HbA1c group. On the other hand, compared with the lowest HbA1c group, the higher HbA1c groups were also associated with a high NAS in both multivariate analyses. Conclusion Glycemic control is associated with NAFLD exacerbation, with even a mild deterioration in glycemic control, especially a HbA1c level of 6.5%–7.4%, contributing to NAFLD progression.

Background/Aims: Although certain allergic diseases have been reported to be associated with the prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it is unclear whether the presence of multiple allergic diseases further increases the prevalence of FD and IBS.The aim of this study is to determine this issue in young people. Methods: A cohort of 8923 Japanese university students was enrolled and diagnoses of FD and IBS were confirmed using Rome III criteria.Allergic disorders diagnosed at medical institutions were obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of FD, IBS, and their overlap was found to be 1.9%, 6.5%, and 1.1%, respectively. Pollen allergy was independently positively correlated with FD, IBS, and overlap of FD and IBS. Allergic rhinitis was positively linked to IBS. Drug allergy was positively associated with FD. The presence of multiple allergic diseases was positively correlated with FD and IBS (FD: adjusted OR for 2 allergic diseases: 1.95 [95% CI, 1.24-2.98], P for trend = 0.003; and IBS: adjusted OR for 1 allergic disease: 1.40 [95% CI, 1.15-1.69], 2 allergic diseases 1.47 [95% CI, 1.12-1.91], and 3 or more allergic diseases: 2.22 [95% CI, 1.45-3.28], P for trend = 0.001). Additionally, the concomitant existence of multiple allergic diseases was also demonstrated to have a trend that correlated with the overlap of FD and IBS (P for trend = 0.018). Conclusion Allergic disease multimorbidity is positively correlated with the prevalence of FD and IBS in a young population.

The patient is a 71-year-old man. After receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRTx) for an unresectable esophageal cancer, he developed sudden hematemesis during a follow-up examination. Subsequent imaging via contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed leakage of the contrast medium from the descending aorta into the esophagus. Consequently, an aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) was diagnosed and an emergency thoracic endovascular aortic stent graft repair (TEVAR) was scheduled. However, during the preparation for surgery, the patient vomited a large amount of blood and went into cardiopulmonary arrest. Following the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube (SB-tube) was inserted intranasally to control bleeding and TEVAR was performed to save his life. Although a gastrostomy was necessary after the surgery, the patient was transferred from the hospital on the 32nd day without any complications. Nonetheless, his general condition deteriorated as the cancer progressed and he died on the 103rd postoperative day. It is generally reported that the risk for esophageal perforation is 10-20% in CRTx for unresectable esophageal cancer. Although issues regarding the long-term prognosis of patients treated with TEVAR have been highlighted in recent years, there have also been reports of life-saving cases following its use; in this case, the patient was discharged home after SB-tube insertion and TEVAR with prompt treatment, resulting in his life being prolonged for an estimated 3 months.

A 36-year-old man underwent direct closure of an atrial septal defect through median sternotomy at the age of 14. He also underwent a mitral valve replacement with tricuspid annuloplasty using the same approach at the age of 18. The patient also presented with pretibial edema and congestive liver disease at the age of 27 and the pretibial edema progressed at the age of 35. Hypoalbuminemia (TP ; 3.6 g/dl, Alb ; 1.6 g/dl) was also observed. Further examinations were performed, which revealed that the right ventricular pressure curve presented a dip and plateau pattern by cardiac catheterization. Computed tomography of the chest additionally revealed thickened and calcified pericardium in the left ventricle. Abdominal scintigraphy showed tracer accumulation in the transverse colon hepatic flexure 4 h after intravenous administration of technetium-99m-labelled human serum albumin. The patient was diagnosed with a protein-losing gastroenteropathy caused by constrictive pericarditis. He underwent pericardiectomy via left anterior thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. No complications were present after the surgery, and he was discharged after 46 postoperative days. Following his discharge from the hospital, the pretibial edema disappeared, and serum albumin levels gradually increased and normalized within 3 months after the surgery (TP 7.1 g/dl, Alb 4.2 g/dl).

　　In Japan, few reports have discussed adverse events and safety after simultaneous vaccination during infancy. The purpose of this study was to elucidate adverse events after simultaneous vaccination of inactivated vaccines in infants in comparison with those after single vaccination. Selected for this study were infants aged ≥2 months who received subcutaneous injections of inactivated vaccines between July 2012 and June 2013. These subjects were divided into two groups: a single-vaccination group (46 subjects) and simultaneous-vaccination group (42 subjects). The presence or absence of severe adverse events that required hospitalization was investigated. We also checked up on subject background and systemic [fever (transitional and highest body temperature)] and local (dermatological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and other organs’ symptoms) adverse events. Questionnaires to investigate if adverse events occurred during one week after simultaneous vaccination, questionnaires were distributed to the parents of all the subjects. “We performed vaccination in 162 subjects, and the collect rate of questionnaires was 57% (97/162).” The percentage of effective answers to the questionnaire survey was 91% (88/97). Among simultaneous-vaccination group subjects, 14 (32%) received Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) + 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) and 12 (27%) received Hib + PCV7 + Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus vaccine. No subject developed severe adverse events that required hospitalization. The body temperatures taken on the day following the injection in the simultaneous-vaccination group were significantly higher than those in the single-vaccination group (p=0.049). However, the incidence of other systemic and local adverse events in the simultaneous-vaccination group was not significantly different from that in the single-vaccination group. Compared with single vaccination, simultaneous vaccination of inactivated vaccines in infants resulted in a significant rise in body temperature on the day following vaccination; however, no severe adverse events occurred.

In the areas of home medical care and self-medication, the role of the pharmacist is growing, partly as a result of Japan’s aging society and the need to reduce medical costs. In response, the Kinki University Faculty of Pharmacy implemented a physical assessment practical training seminar in order to improve the physical assessment skills of practicing pharmacists. A series of questionnaires were conducted among pharmacists to investigate their perceptions of physical assessment practical training seminars. The results of the questionnaires were analyzed using Customer Satisfaction (CS) analysis and text mining. Based on a 5-point scale (1-low∼5-high), questionnaires revealed satisfaction for physical assessment practical training seminars was 4.6±0.6 (Ave.±S.D.). CS analysis revealed that the items “lectures” and “case seminars” had the highest level of satisfaction. However, items showing low levels of satisfaction were “auscultation of respiratory sounds” and “SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation).” Results of text mining suggested a relationship between “physical assessment” and “difficult”. Analysis of the questionnaires showed a high level satisfaction with physical assessment practical training seminars, notably physical assessment practice methods. However, CS analysis and text mining indicate the finer techniques of physical assessment were difficult to acquire.