Evaluation of an educational wellness program by sex differences in community-dwelling Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

This study was a 24-week non-randomized controlled trial aimed at investigating the effects of lifestyle education by sex in patients with schizophrenia. The data was collected and analyzed for 75 subjects at five facilities in Aomori, Japan. Mean weight and BMI decreased in both biologically male and female subjects over a 24-Week study period in the Intervention group, but were maintenance or increase in the control Group. Although, when compared with the control group by ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance), there were significant differences in body weight, BMI, and body fat percentage in the biologically male participants in the Intervention group, but not in the females. For the biologically males in the Intervention group, sex differences were speculated to affect weight loss strategies, such as using a pedometer to incorporate walking into their daily routine. Thus, when implementing lifestyle improvement education program, it is recommended to implement a program that considers sex differences.

Clinical factors associated with the therapeutic outcome of chemotherapy in very elderly cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to detect background factors that might be associated with the therapeutic and curative outcome of chemotherapy in elderly cancer patients aged over 75 years. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for elderly cancer patients aged over 75 years who had received more than 2 courses of chemotherapy at our hospital. We analyzed the relationships between RECIST outcome and background factors, such as age, sex, clinical TNM stage, pre-treatment history, ECOG performance status, serum albumin, and Charlson comorbidity index using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 103 cancer patients aged over 75 years were analyzed in this study, including 28 with hematological neoplasia, 36 with gastrointestinal tract cancers, 25 with breast cancers, and 14 with other malignancies originating in various tissues. Seventy-one patients (69.1%) had a positive clinical outcome including RECIST CR (complete response), PR (partial response) and SD (stable disease). Multivariate analysis showed that a high serum albumin level of more than 3.5 g/dl and a Charlson comorbidity index score of less than 2 points were positively correlated with a favorable therapeutic outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggested that serum albumin level and comorbidity index are the principal clinical factors affecting therapeutic outcomes in elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. In the future, these factors may make chemotherapy adaptations, continuity, and effectiveness easier to predict than GA screening.

Dietary Intake in Body Mass Index Differences in Community-Based Japanese Patients with Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia reportedly have a high prevalence of obesity. One of the reasons is a poor choice of diet. The goal of this study was to clarify characteristics of the dietary intake across the strata of the body mass index (BMI) and to compare the general population and patients with schizophrenia in Japan. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 51 patients with schizophrenia residing in rural areas in 2011. Anthropometric indices (of height, weight, body mass index) were measured at the commencement of the survey. Intakes of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, total fiber, and salt were noted through a 3-day dietary recording. The nutrient intake was estimated using Excel add-in software (Excel Eiyou-kun Ver. 6.0, Kenpakusha Co., Ltd.). Patients were divided into two groups: those with a BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) and with a BMI <25 kg/m(2), and the differences in their nutrition intake were analyzed. To compare these patients with the general population, the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2010 (NHNS) were used (the NHNS group). For statistical analysis, an unpaired t-test was performed with P < 0.05. RESULTS: Patients with a BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) had the higher intakes than those with a BMI <25 kg/m(2) of energy, fat and phosphorus and salt. Patients with schizophrenia showed higher intakes of energy, carbohydrate, fat, calcium, phosphorus and salt than the NHNS group. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the dietary intake in patients with schizophrenia were suggested the food constitution that is likely to increase the body weight.