The University of Tokyo Disability Services Office and the University of Tokyo Hospital have striven to advance the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to encourage the co-production of research as well as mental health services with peer support workers. In convergence with these endeavors, the Center for Diversity in Medical Education and Research (CDMER) was founded in 2021. The Center aims to establish an environment and culture that facilitates the participation and success of medical professionals with disabilities. For this purpose, it is essential to integrate the perspective of the social model of disability into medical education and promote co-production in the medical field, which is among the most challenging areas that can realize co-production. The Center is involved in various educational and research activities, including managing educational programs for medical students and supporting student-led research.

Objective: This study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of niraparib in Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods: This was a follow-up analysis of a phase 2, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study in Japanese women with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer. Participants received niraparib (starting dose 300 mg) once daily in continuous 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia-related events (defined as the overall incidence of the MedDRA Preferred Terms “thrombocytopenia” and “platelet count decreased”) occurring in the 30 days after initial administration of niraparib, and secondary endpoints included evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events and progression-free survival. Results: Nineteen patients (median age, 62 years; median body weight, 53.9 kg) were enrolled. As previously reported, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia-related events during the first 30 days of treatment was 31.6%. At data cutoff, median (range) treatment exposure was 504.0 (56–1,054) days and mean ± standard deviation dose intensity was 154.4±77.5 mg/day. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea (n=14, 73.7%), decreased platelet count (n=12, 63.2%), decreased neutrophil count (n=11, 57.9%), anemia, vomiting, and decreased appetite (all n=9, 47.4%). One patient was diagnosed with treatment-related leukemia, which resulted in death. Median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival was 18.0 (5.6–26.7) months. Conclusion Overall, the safety profile of niraparib was considered manageable in this study population of Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer and was consistent with that observed in studies of non-Japanese patients.

Objective: This study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of niraparib in Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods: This was a follow-up analysis of a phase 2, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study in Japanese women with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer. Participants received niraparib (starting dose 300 mg) once daily in continuous 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia-related events (defined as the overall incidence of the MedDRA Preferred Terms “thrombocytopenia” and “platelet count decreased”) occurring in the 30 days after initial administration of niraparib, and secondary endpoints included evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events and progression-free survival. Results: Nineteen patients (median age, 62 years; median body weight, 53.9 kg) were enrolled. As previously reported, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia-related events during the first 30 days of treatment was 31.6%. At data cutoff, median (range) treatment exposure was 504.0 (56–1,054) days and mean ± standard deviation dose intensity was 154.4±77.5 mg/day. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea (n=14, 73.7%), decreased platelet count (n=12, 63.2%), decreased neutrophil count (n=11, 57.9%), anemia, vomiting, and decreased appetite (all n=9, 47.4%). One patient was diagnosed with treatment-related leukemia, which resulted in death. Median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival was 18.0 (5.6–26.7) months. Conclusion Overall, the safety profile of niraparib was considered manageable in this study population of Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer and was consistent with that observed in studies of non-Japanese patients.

Objective: This study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of niraparib in Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods: This was a follow-up analysis of a phase 2, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study in Japanese women with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer. Participants received niraparib (starting dose 300 mg) once daily in continuous 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia-related events (defined as the overall incidence of the MedDRA Preferred Terms “thrombocytopenia” and “platelet count decreased”) occurring in the 30 days after initial administration of niraparib, and secondary endpoints included evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events and progression-free survival. Results: Nineteen patients (median age, 62 years; median body weight, 53.9 kg) were enrolled. As previously reported, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia-related events during the first 30 days of treatment was 31.6%. At data cutoff, median (range) treatment exposure was 504.0 (56–1,054) days and mean ± standard deviation dose intensity was 154.4±77.5 mg/day. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea (n=14, 73.7%), decreased platelet count (n=12, 63.2%), decreased neutrophil count (n=11, 57.9%), anemia, vomiting, and decreased appetite (all n=9, 47.4%). One patient was diagnosed with treatment-related leukemia, which resulted in death. Median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival was 18.0 (5.6–26.7) months. Conclusion Overall, the safety profile of niraparib was considered manageable in this study population of Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer and was consistent with that observed in studies of non-Japanese patients.

Methods: Radiological parameters were extracted from the whole lateral radiographs. Patients were divided into two groups: the ASD group (segmental kyphosis of ≥10º, and/or a ≥50% loss of disc height, and/or ≥3 mm of anteroposterior translation) and the non-ASD group. Results: All 112 included patients underwent PLIF for lumbar degenerative diseases. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years, with an average follow-up time of 63.6 months. Fifty-two patients (46.4%) were classified into the ASD group and of these, 13 required reoperation due to failure of conservative treatment. Patients with ASD exhibited significantly more caudal and posterior inflection vertebrae (IV), while the lumbar apical vertebra was significantly more caudal immediately after surgery. The IV position was identified as a significant risk factor for ASD, and the ASD incidence was significantly higher in the group where IV ≤5 (L1 vertebral body) than in the group where IV ≥5.5 (T12–L1 disc) (69.0% vs. 38.6%). Conclusions The IV position is a significant risk factor for ASD development. Although it is difficult to control intraoperative IV levels, we note a high risk of ASD in patients with IV lower than T12–L1.

Objectives: Locomotive syndrome stage 3 (LS3), which has been established recently, may imply a greater need for care than LS stage 0 (LS0), LS stage 1 (LS1), and LS stage 2 (LS2). The relationship between LS3 and long-term care in Japan is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine this relationship. Methods: A total of 531 patients (314 women and 217 men; mean age, 75 years) who were not classified as requiring long-term care and underwent musculoskeletal examinations in 2012 were grouped according to their LS stage. Group L comprised patients with LS3 and Group N comprised those with LS0, LS1, and LS2. We compared these groups according to their epidemiology results and long-term care requirements from 2013 to 2018. Results: Fifty-nine patients (11.1%) were diagnosed with LS3. Group L comprised more patients (50.8%) who required long-term care than Group N (17.8%) (P < 0.001). Group L also comprised more patients with vertebral fractures and knee osteoarthritis than Group N (33.9% vs 19.5% [P = 0.011] and 78% vs 56.4% [P < 0.001], respectively). A Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significant difference in the need for nursing care between Groups L and N (log-rank test, P < 0.001; hazard ratio, 2.236; 95% confidence interval, 1.451–3.447). Conclusions Between 2012 and 2018, 50% of patients with LS3 required nursing care. Therefore, LS3 is a highrisk condition that necessitates interventions. Approaches to vertebral fractures and osteoarthritis of the knee could be key.

Methods: We examined the data of AIS patients with Lenke type 1 curves who underwent posterior fusion surgery in a retrospective manner. PSI was defined as a 2-year postoperative absolute radiographic shoulder height (RSH) of ≥2 cm. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of PSI and the level of their upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) (UIV at T2 or T3 [U-UIV] or UIV below T3 [L-UIV]). The radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes were compared, and the cutoff values of risk factors were identified by multivariate analysis. Results: Of 104 patients, 21 (20.2%) had left shoulder elevation PSI. The PSI group had a significantly greater preoperative RSH (−5.1 mm vs. −14.3 mm) and main thoracic (MT) curve correction rate (77.3% vs. 69.1%) than the non-PSI group. The PSI incidence did not differ between the U-UIV and L-UIV groups. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative RSH and the MT curve correction rate as independent risk factors for PSI. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified the preoperative RSH cutoff value as −6.5 mm and MT curve correction rate cutoff value as 76.9%. Conclusions Even in AIS patients with Lenke type 1 curves, the incidence of PSI was relatively high (20.2%). Patients with preoperative lower right shoulder elevation (i.e., RSH >−6.5 mm) had a higher risk of PSI regardless of UIV level when the MT curve showed a higher correction rate (i.e., correction rate >76.9%).

Methods: This retrospective study includes 295 corrective surgery patients with ASD. Subjects were divided into two groups after propensity age matching analysis: cranial malalignment (McGS <−8 or >13) and normal cranial alignment (−8≤ McGS ≤13). Lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), TK, cervical lordosis (CL), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were evaluated between the two groups. Results: SVA (95–56 mm) and PT (34°–25°) decreased and LL (19°–41°) increased 2 years after surgery (p <0.05), but McGS (−1.1° to −0.5°) and CL (21°–19°) did not change. Conversely, in the group with cranial malalignment, SVA (120–64 mm), PT (35°–26°), and LL (12°–41°) showed similar results to the normal cranial parameter group 2 years after surgery, but in contrast, McGS (−13° to −2°) and CL (24°–18°) improved significantly. Conclusions Severe ASD adversely affects to maintain horizontal gaze but can be improved by spinal corrective surgery.

Methods: Adult volunteers aged over 50 years were included in the study after participating in the screening program. Characteristic data and standing radiographic parameters were assessed. A propensity score model was established with adjustments for age and sex after a preliminary analysis, and cases were divided into DLS (Cobb angle >10°) and non-DLS (Cobb angle ≤10°) groups. Results: There were significant differences in age, sex, C2 sagittal vertical axis (C2-SVA), C7-SVA, T1 pelvic angle (TPA), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), PI minus LL (PI–LL), knee angle, ankle angle, pelvic shift, C7-center sacral vertical line, L4 tilt, femur-tibia angle, and hip-knee-ankle angle (all p <0.05) using a preliminary analysis of 261 cases (75 DLS and 186 non-DLS). A one-to-one propensity score-matched analysis was used after 70 pairs of cases were selected. There were no significant differences in the characteristic data for lower extremity parameters. There were still significantly higher values of C2-SVA, TPA, PI, PT, and PI–LL in DLS group than in non-DLS group (all p <0.05). Conclusions This study showed an important relationship between DLS and sagittal spinal deformity. However, DLS was not associated with the sagittal and coronal lower extremity alignments.

Methods: This study prospectively examined nine T-OPLL patients who underwent posterior thoracic decompression with kyphosis correction and instrumented fusion at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine between 2017 and 2019. All underwent preoperative selective angiography to detect and evaluate the Adamkiewicz artery and ASA. Intraoperative neuromonitoring and Doppler ultrasonography were performed to analyze neurological complications and spinal cord blood flow. Results: All nine patients showed ASA stenosis in the area of T-OPLL. In all patients, the Adamkiewicz artery was located between T7 and L2 and the area of ASA stenosis corresponded to the level of T-OPLL and greatest spinal cord compression; intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography confirmed the ASA defect at the same spinal level. The number of spinal levels from the Adamkiewicz artery to the most compressive OPLL lesion was greater in the two patients who developed postoperative neurological deficit compared to those who did not (5.5 vs. 2.3, p=0.014). Conclusions This is the first study to report detection of ASA stenosis in patients with T-OPLL. Maintaining spinal cord blood flow is important in these patients to avoid neurological deterioration.