Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis Correlated With Clinical Parameters in Patients With or At-Risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Attention to physical activity has grown in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as it serves as a robust indicator for mortality associated with COPD. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expenditure due to physical activities besides active sports-like exercises and resistance training in daily life, and decreased NEAT may be related to physical inactivity in patients with COPD. We examined whether NEAT assessed using a questionnaire reflects clinical parameters in patients with or at risk for COPD. METHODS: The study participants consisted of 36 male patients (COPD=28; stage1=6, stage2=14, stage3/4=8, and at-risk for COPD=8) older than 50 years of age. The participants underwent anthropometric measurements, lung function testing, a six-minute walk test, muscle strength testing, and questionnaires, e.g., the COPD assessment test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Image analysis with chest computed tomography (CT) included the number of trunk muscles, bronchial wall thickening, and emphysema (percentage of the lung field occupied by low attenuation area <-950 HU). We evaluated the relationship between these clinical parameters and NEAT questionnaire scores using Pearson correlation analysis and the Tukey-Kramer test. RESULTS: The NEAT score was correlated with the severity of airflow limitation and airway wall thickness measured by chest CT, symptoms evaluated by the mMRC dyspnea scale and CAT, and inspiratory muscle strength and pectoralis muscle area assessed by CT. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed the significance of NEAT as a valuable indicator in assessing the health status of patients with or at risk for COPD. The NEAT score was correlated with various clinical traits, suggesting that incorporating NEAT assessments using a questionnaire can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the clinical condition in these patients. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate and generalize these findings across diverse COPD populations.

A Community-Based Intervention to Enhance Subjective Well-Being in Older Adults: Study Design and Baseline Participant Profiles.

Promoting subjective well-being is a crucial challenge in aging societies. In 2022, we launched a community-based intervention trial (the Chofu-Digital-Choju Movement). This initiative centered on fostering in-person and online social connections to enhance the subjective well-being of older adults. This paper describes the study design and baseline survey. This quasi-experimental study involved community-dwelling older adults aged 65-84 years in Chofu City, Tokyo, Japan. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 3742 residents (1681 men and 2061 women), and a baseline survey was conducted in January 2022. We assessed subjective well-being (primary outcome); psychosocial, physical, and dietary factors; and the use of information and communication technology variables (secondary outcomes) among the participants. After the intervention involving online classes, community hubs, and community events, a 2-year follow-up survey will be conducted to evaluate the effects of the intervention, comparing the intervention group (participants) with the control group (non-participants). We received 2503 questionnaires (66.9% response rate); of these, the analysis included 2343 questionnaires (62.6% valid response rate; mean age, 74.4 (standard deviation, 5.4) years; 43.7% male). The mean subjective well-being score was 7.2 (standard deviation, 1.9). This study will contribute to the development of a prototype subjective well-being strategy for older adults.

Effect of overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome on frailty in middle-aged and older Japanese adults.

Background: The potential for developing frailty exists in middle-aged and older adults. While obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) increase the risk of frailty in older adults, this relationship remains unclear in middle-aged adults, who are prone to developing lifestyle-related diseases. Objective: To examine the effect of overweight/obesity and MetS on frailty development in middle-aged and older Japanese adults using real-world data. Methods: This nationwide cohort study used exhaustive health insurance claims data of 3,958,708 Japanese people from 2015 to 2019 provided by the Japan Health Insurance Association. Participants aged ≥35 and < 70 years who received health checkups in 2015 were included. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) and MetS or MetS components (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) in 2015 on frailty risk assessed using the hospital frailty risk score in 2019. Additionally, a subgroup analysis was performed to examine the interaction effects of MetS components and 4-year weight change (%) on frailty risk among participants who were overweight and obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2). Results: In 2019, 7204 (0.2%) and 253,671 (6.4%) participants were at high and intermediate frailty risks, respectively. Obesity and MetS were independently associated with intermediate/high frailty risk (odds ratio (OR) 1.36, p < 0.05; OR 1.23, p < 0.05, respectively) and high frailty risk (OR 1.80, p < 0.05; OR 1.37, p < 0.05, respectively) in all participants. Although all MetS components were frailty risk factors, these effects diminished with age in both sexes. Subgroup analysis of patients with diabetes revealed that 5%-10% weight loss was associated with reduced frailty risk in both sexes. Conclusions: Obesity, MetS, and MetS components were independent frailty risk factors in middle-aged and older Japanese adults. Weight loss of up to 10% over 4 years prevented frailty in patients with diabetes who were overweight and obese.

Multimorbidity patterns in the working age population with the top 10% medical cost from exhaustive insurance claims data of Japan Health Insurance Association.

Although the economic burden of multimorbidity is a growing global challenge, the contribution of multimorbidity in patients with high medical expenses remains unclear. We aimed to clarify multimorbidity patterns that have a large impact on medical costs in the Japanese population. We conducted a cross-sectional study using health insurance claims data provided by the Japan Health Insurance Association. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify multimorbidity patterns in 1,698,902 patients who had the top 10% of total medical costs in 2015. The present parameters of the LCA model included 68 disease labels that were frequent among this population. Moreover, subgroup analysis was performed using a generalized linear model (GLM) to assess the factors influencing annual medical cost and 5-year mortality. As a result of obtaining 30 latent classes, the kidney disease class required the most expensive cost per capita, while the highest portion (28.6%) of the total medical cost was spent on metabolic syndrome (MetS) classes, which were characterized by hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. GLM applied to patients with MetS classes showed that cardiovascular diseases or complex conditions, including malignancies, were powerful determinants of medical cost and mortality. MetS was classified into 7 classes based on real-world data and accounts for a large portion of the total medical costs. MetS classes with cardiovascular diseases or complex conditions, including malignancies, have a significant impact on medical costs and mortality.

Impact of non-exercise activity thermogenesis on physical activity in patients with COPD.

Physical inactivity is associated with comorbidities and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Although non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is important for evaluating the physical activity level (PAL) of patients with chronic diseases, it has not yet been assessed in COPD patients. This study included male patients with COPD (n = 28) and high risk for COPD (n = 8). Total energy expenditure (TEE) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method and indirect calorimetry, respectively. PAL was calculated as TEE/BMR, while the NEAT was obtained from a questionnaire. Physical activity was also assessed using an accelerometer. The total NEAT score was correlated with PAL (r = 0.534, P < 0.001), while PAL was correlated more strongly with the non-locomotive NEAT score (r = 0.548, P < 0.001) than the locomotive NEAT score (r = 0.278, P = 0.10). Regarding accelerometer-obtained data, this questionnaire mainly reflected steps/day and the duration of light locomotive and non-locomotive daily activities. The NEAT score is a possible option for evaluating PAL in daily clinical practice. The present results indicated that non-locomotive activity may have a greater impact on PAL than locomotive activity in COPD patients.

Possible association of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with trunk muscle deficits and decrease in energy expenditure in patients with or at risk for COPD: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with low muscle mass and function caused by malnutrition and physical inactivity. We aimed to investigate possible associations between serum biomarkers and clinical traits including computed tomography-derived muscle measurements and energy expenditure indices in COPD. METHODS: Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured by the doubly labeled water method, while physical activity level (PAL) was calculated as TEE/basal metabolic rate. Cross-sections and densities of pectoralis, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles were measured. Serum biomarkers included adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (C). RESULTS: HDL-C levels were significantly correlated with all muscle areas, densities, and TEE. Only LDL-C levels were correlated with PAL. CONCLUSIONS: HDL-C level was a potential biomarker for trunk muscle volumes and functions, as well as total energy expenditure in COPD.

Age-Related Decline in Physical Activity Level in the Healthy Older Japanese Population.

The Dietary Reference Intakes 2020 divided the older population into those aged 65-74 y and those over 75 y old. However, physical activity level in each age group was not specified. This study examined age-related differences in physical activity level among healthy Japanese older people, and the effect of lifestyles on these differences. In total, 70 people (22 men, 48 women) aged 65-85 y old participated in this study. Total energy expenditure was measured using the doubly labeled water method, and basal metabolic rate using expired gas concentration and volume. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and a triaxial accelerometer were used to assess physical activities. Physical activity level was significantly higher among 65-74 y old (median 1.86) than those over 75 y old (1.76). However, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly did not show any significant differences between the age groups. The duration of physical activity with 3.0-5.9 metabolic equivalents was longer for both locomotive and household activities among 65-74 y old than those over 75 y old. Younger participants walked a median of 6,364 steps a day, compared with 4,419 steps for older people. The 65-74 y old participants involved in paid work or who habitually exercised, and those over 75 y old taking more than 40 min a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and walking more than the median level for their sex and age group had significantly higher physical activity levels.

Evaluation of energy intake by brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire among male patients with stable/at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Weight loss and reduced fat-free mass are independent risk factors for mortality among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These factors are important for determining diet therapy and examining the validity of assessment for energy intake (EI). We assessed the agreement of EI between a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and the doubly labelled water (DLW) method among male patients with stable/at risk for COPD. METHOD: In this cross-sectional observational study, data for 33 male patients were analysed. At the first visit, EI was estimated using a BDHQ (EIBDHQ). Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured during 13-15 days by the DLW method, while corrected EI was calculated using the TEE and weight change during the DLW period (EIDLW). The difference between EIBDHQ and EIDLW was evaluated by the Bland-Altman method. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the proportion of variance in the difference between EIBDHQ and EIDLW, as determined by the patient's characteristics. RESULTS: EIBDHQ was 2100 (95% CI: 1905 to 2295) kcal/day in the total population. A fixed bias was observed between EIBDHQ and EIDLW as -186 (95% CI: -422 to 50) kcal/day, while a proportional bias was not detected by the Bland-Altman analysis. Age, weight, anxiety and interleukin 6 were responsible for 61.7% of the variance in the difference between both EIs in a multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The BDHQ underestimated EI among male patients with stable/at risk for COPD, but this estimation error was within an acceptable range compared with previous studies. EIBDHQ precision might be improved by considering common COPD traits, including inflammatory condition and mental state.

Impact of walking aids on estimating physical activity using a tri-axial accelerometer in frail older adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the estimation error of physical activity level (PAL) estimated using a tri-axial accelerometer between an independent walking group and an assisted walking group with walking aids. METHODS: Subjects were 6 older adults who could walk independently and 10 older adults requiring walking assistance during gait. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured using the doubly labelled water (DLW) method over 2 weeks and PAL was calculated as the measured TEE divided by the basal metabolic rate measured using indirect calorimetry (PALDLW). The participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer (Active style Pro HJA-750C) on the waist simultaneously as the DLW period, and the estimated PAL was derived from it (PALACC). RESULTS: The median PAL estimation error in the assisted walking group was -0.30 kcal/day (range: -0.77 to -0.01 kcal/day) and more underestimated than that in the independent walking group (p=0.02). The estimation error of PALACC was significantly correlated with PALDLW (r=-0.80, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Using the accelerometer, PAL was underestimated for older adults who used walking aids but not for those who walked independently under free-living conditions.

Energy expenditure and physical activity in COPD by doubly labelled water method and an accelerometer.

Although weight loss suggests poor prognosis of COPD, only a few studies have examined total energy expenditure (TEE) or physical activity level (PAL) using the doubly labelled water (DLW) method. We evaluated TEE and PAL using the DLW method together with a triaxial accelerometer to elucidate the relationships between TEE, PAL and clinical parameters leading to a practical means of monitoring COPD physical status. This study evaluated 50- to 79-year-old male patients with mild to very severe COPD (n=28) or at risk for COPD (n=8). TEE, activity energy expenditure for 2 weeks and basal metabolic rate were measured by DLW, an accelerometer and indirect calorimetry, respectively. All patients underwent pulmonary function, chest-computed tomography, 6-min walk test, body composition and grip strength tests. Relationships between indices of energy expenditure and clinical parameters were analysed. Bland-Altman analysis was used to examine the agreement of TEE and PAL between the DLW method and the accelerometer. TEE and PAL using DLW in the total population were 2273±445 kcal·day-1 and 1.80±0.20, respectively. TEE by DLW correlated well with that from the accelerometer and grip strength (p<0.0001), and PAL by DLW correlated well with that from the accelerometer (p<0.0001), grip strength and 6-min walk distance (p<0.001) among various clinical parameters. However, the accelerometer underestimated TEE (215±241 kcal·day-1) and PAL (0.18±0.16), with proportional biases in both indices. TEE and PAL can be estimated by accelerometer in patients with COPD if systematic errors and relevant clinical factors such as muscle strength and exercise capacity are accounted for.

Energy Requirements for Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review of the Current Findings and Future Tasks.

Aging patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a high risk of frailty and disability. This narrative review summarizes the current findings and future tasks regarding the following issues: (1) the optimum body mass index (BMI) target for patients with T2DM, (2) energy expenditure and requirements of patients with T2DM, and (3) the significance of low-intensity physical activity (LPA) as a key determinant of total energy expenditure (TEE) among the older population. While weight reduction is associated with an improvement in glycemic control, an increased risk of mortality as well as disability related to unhealthy BMI must also be considered, especially in older patients. The optimum BMI range and energy requirements for maintaining a healthy BMI should be identified. Limited evidence has shown that the TEE measured using the doubly labeled water method in patients with T2DM did not differ from that of subjects without diabetes, suggesting that the energy requirement data of subjects without diabetes may be applicable to these populations. LPA is one of the determinants of variability in the energy requirements of older patients with T2DM, and the beneficial effects of increasing LPA on nutritional intake and frailty prevention should be investigated further.

The product of trunk muscle area and density on the CT image is a good indicator of energy expenditure in patients with or at risk for COPD.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity due to cachexia and muscle wasting is well recognized as a sign of poor prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there have been no reports on the relationship between trunk muscle measurements and energy expenditure parameters, such as the total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL), in COPD. In this study, we investigated the associations of computed tomography (CT)-derived muscle area and density measurements with clinical parameters, including TEE and PAL, in patients with or at risk for COPD, and examined whether these muscle measurements serve as an indicator of TEE and PAL. METHODS: The study population consisted of 36 male patients with (n = 28, stage 1-4) and at risk for (n = 8) COPD aged over 50 years. TEE was measured by the doubly labeled water method, and PAL was calculated as the TEE/basal metabolic rate estimated by the indirect method. The cross-sectional areas and densities of the pectoralis muscles, rectus abdominis muscles, and erector spinae muscles were measured. We evaluated the relationship between these muscle measurements and clinical outcomes, including body composition, lung function, muscle strength, TEE, and PAL. RESULTS: All the muscle areas were significantly associated with TEE, severity of emphysema, and body composition indices such as body mass index, fat-free mass, and trunk muscle mass. All trunk muscle densities were correlated with PAL. The product of the rectus abdominis muscle area and density showed the highest association with TEE (r = 0.732) and PAL (r = 0.578). Several trunk muscle measurements showed significant correlations with maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, indicating their roles in respiration. CONCLUSIONS: CT-derived measurements for trunk muscles are helpful in evaluating physical status and function in patients with or at risk for COPD. Particularly, trunk muscle evaluation may be a useful marker reflecting TEE and PAL.

Energy Gap between Doubly Labeled Water-Based Energy Expenditure and Calculated Energy Intake from Recipes and Plate Waste, and Subsequent Weight Changes in Elderly Residents in Japanese Long-Term Care Facilities: CLEVER Study.

Unintentional weight loss is a major frailty component; thus, assessing energy imbalance is essential for institutionalized elderly residents. This study examined prediction errors of the observed energy intake (OEI) against the actual energy intake obtained from the doubly labeled water (DLW) method and clarified the relationship between the energy gap obtained by subtracting total energy expenditure (TEE) from OEI and subsequent weight changes in elderly residents in long-term care facilities. Overall, 46 participants were recruited in Japan. TEE was measured using the DLW method, and OEI was calculated from recipes and plate waste simultaneously over a 14-15-day period at baseline. The total energy intake (TEIDLW) was determined on the basis of DLW and weight changes during the DLW period. The weight was longitudinally tracked monthly for 12 months in the 28 residents who still lived at the facilities. OEI was higher than TEIDLW by a mean of 232 kcal/day (15.3%) among 46 residents at baseline. The longitudinal data of 28 residents showed that the energy gap tended to be correlated with the slope of weight change (ρ = 0.337, p = 0.080) and the median value was significantly lower in the weight loss group (152 kcal/day) than in the weight gain group (350 kcal/day) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, weight loss could occur at Japanese long-term care facilities even if the difference obtained by subtracting TEE from OEI was positive because OEI was overestimated by more than 200 kcal/day.

Impact of obesity on underreporting of energy intake in type 2 diabetic patients: Clinical Evaluation of Energy Requirements in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (CLEVER-DM) study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although accurate assessment of energy intake (EI) is critical in diabetes care, underreporting of EI on dietary records (DR) is often an issue. However, few studies have examined EI with doubly labeled water (DLW) in patients with diabetes mellitus. We aimed to investigate the impact of sex and obesity on the dissociation of DR from total energy expenditure (TEE) evaluated with DLW in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with type 2 diabetes aged 60-79 years were enrolled for the Clinical Evaluation of Energy Requirements in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (CLEVER-DM) study at a single university hospital. TEE was measured over 14 days by the DLW method as standard. EI was calculated by assessment of 3-day DR by registered dietitians. RESULTS: The mean difference between EI and TEE was 238 ± 412 kcal/day (~10% of TEE). Neither EI nor TEE was significantly different between obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI <25 kg/m2) patients. There was a negative correlation between EI/TEE ratio and BMI in women (R = -0.437, P = 0.033) but not in men (R = -0.174, P = 0.377). There was a significant difference in EI/TEE ratio between obese and non-obese patients among women (0.85 ± 0.15 vs. 1.01 ± 0.21, P = 0.045) but not men (0.85 ± 0.20 vs. 0.87 ± 0.17, P = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: EI calculated by 3-day DR may underestimate habitual intake, which is assumed to be equal to TEE measured by the DLW method except in non-obese women with diabetes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000023051.

Validity of the Use of a Triaxial Accelerometer and a Physical Activity Questionnaire for Estimating Total Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity Level among Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: CLEVER-DM Study.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity level (PAL) is important for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the validity of accelerometers (ACC) and physical activity questionnaires (PAQ) for estimating TEE and PAL remains unknown in elderly populations with T2DM. We evaluated the accuracy of TEE and PAL results estimated by an ACC (TEEACC and PALACC) and a PAQ (TEEPAQ and PALPAQ) in elderly patients with T2DM. METHODS: Fifty-one elderly patients with T2DM (aged 61-79 years) participated in this study. TEEACC was calculated with PALACC using a triaxial ACC (Active style Pro HJA-750c) over 2 weeks and predicted basal metabolic rate (BMR) by Ganpule's equation. TEEPAQ was estimated using predicted BMR and the PALPAQ from the -Japan Public Health Center Study-Long questionnaire. We compared the results to TEEDLW measured with the doubly labeled water (DLW) method and PALDLW calculated with BMR using indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: TEEDLW was 2,165 ± 365 kcal/day, and TEEACC was 2,014 ± 339 kcal/day; TEEACC was strongly correlated with TEEDLW (r = 0.87, p < 0.01) but significantly underestimated (-150 ± 183 kcal/day, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in TEEPAQ and TEEDLW (-49 ± 284 kcal/day), while the range of difference seemed to be larger than TEEACC. PALDLW, PALACC, and PALPAQ were calculated to be 1.71 ± 0.17, 1.69 ± 0.16, and 1.78 ± 0.24, respectively. -PALACC was strongly correlated with PALDLW (r = 0.71, p < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between the 2 values. PALPAQ was moderately correlated with PALDLW (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) but significantly overestimated. Predicted BMR was significantly lower than the BMR -measured by indirect calorimetry (1,193 ± 186 vs. 1,262 ± 155 kcal/day, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present ACC and questionnaire showed acceptable correlation of TEE and PAL compared with DLW method in elderly patients with T2DM. Systematic errors in estimating TEE may be improved by the better equation for predicting BMR.

Total energy expenditure is comparable between patients with and without diabetes mellitus: Clinical Evaluation of Energy Requirements in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (CLEVER-DM) Study.

Objective: Assessment of total energy expenditure (TEE) is essential for appropriate recommendations regarding dietary intake and physical activity in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). However, few reports have focused on TEE in patients with DM, particularly in Asian countries. Therefore, we evaluated TEE in Japanese patients with DM using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method and physical activity level (PAL). Research design and methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, we evaluated 52 patients with type 2 DM and 15 patients without DM. Free-living TEE was measured over 12-16 days by the DLW method, and PAL was calculated as TEE divided by the basal metabolic rate (BMR) as assessed by indirect calorimetry. The equivalence margin was defined as 5 kcal/kg/day. Results: The numbers of patients with DM treated with insulin, oral antidiabetic drugs, and diet were 18 (34.6%), 20 (38.5%), and 14 (26.9%), respectively. The mean±SD level of glycated hemoglobin was 6.9%±0.8% and 5.5%±0.3% in the DM and non-DM group, respectively (p<0.001). The mean body mass index was 23.3±3.0 and 22.7±2.1 kg/m2 in the DM and non-DM group, respectively. The mean TEE per kilogram body weight adjusted for sex and age was 36.5 kcal/kg/day and 37.5 kcal/kg/day in the DM and non-DM group, respectively, with no significant difference (mean difference, -1.0 kcal/kg/day; 95% CI -4.2 to 2.3 kcal/kg/day). The BMR tended to be higher in the DM than in the non-DM group (mean difference, 33 kcal/day; 95% CI, -15 to 80 kcal/day). The mean PAL adjusted for sex and age was 1.71 and 1.81 in the DM and non-DM group, respectively, without a significant difference (mean difference, -0.10; 95% CI -0.21 to 0.01). Conclusion: TEE was comparable between Japanese patients with and without DM. Trial registration number: UMIN000023051.

Validity of One-Day Physical Activity Recall for Estimating Total Energy Expenditure in Elderly Residents at Long-Term Care Facilities: CLinical EValuation of Energy Requirements Study (CLEVER Study).

Malnutrition is a severe problem among elderly residents living in long-term care facilities. A simple and accurate estimation for total daily energy expenditure (TEE) is required in order to provide them with an adequate amount of food. The purpose of this study was to validate a physical activity assessment tool for estimating TEE among elderly residents. The data of 58 subjects aged 69-99 y were analyzed in this study. The one-day physical activity recall was filled out by facility staff for a typical day. TEE was measured by the doubly labeled water (DLW) method (TEEDLW), and predicted by one-day physical activity recall using the basal metabolic rate (pTEEBMR) and body weight (pTEEBW). The TEEDLW, pTEEBMR and pTEEBW were 1,129±196 kcal/d, 1,186±251 kcal/d and 1,326±236 kcal/d, respectively. In a regression model, body weight, movement means and sex explained 39.0% of the variance in the difference between pTEEBMR and TEEDLW (p<0.05). Percentage of fat mass, body weight, and Barthel Index except mobility explained 47.3% of the variance in the difference between pTEEBW and TEEDLW (p<0.05). The current results suggested that pTEEBW is not recommended to estimate TEE because the error depends on body size, and pTEEBMR was significantly correlated with TEEDLW but also included systematic errors in elderly residents. In order to improve the accuracy of the present assessment to estimate TEE, it is necessary to establish a new equation of basal metabolic rate for elderly residents and consider sex and movement means to estimate TEE.

Onychomycosis of the Middle Finger of a Japanese Judo Athlete due to Trichophyton tonsurans

We present a 17-year-old Japanese male high school student, who had applied steroid ointment for atopic dermatitis, with fingernail onychomycosis due to Trichophyton tonsurans. He was found positive for T. tonsurans infection based on hairbrush culture performed due to an epidemic of T. tonsurans infection in his judo club. The hairbrush culture method is very important in screening for this infection, and dermatologists should examine the entire body of athletes who are found positive using this method. For the diagnosis of T. tonsurans infection, other than the skin and hair, the nails should also be checked by dermoscopy because the fingernail may be the origin of this fungus.

Identifying progressive CKD from healthy population using Bayesian network and artificial intelligence: A worksite-based cohort study.

Identifying progressive early chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients at a health checkup is a good opportunity to improve their prognosis. However, it is difficult to identify them using common health tests. This worksite-based cohort study for 7 years in Japan (n = 7465) was conducted to evaluate the progression of CKD. The outcome was aggravation of the KDIGO prognostic category of CKD 7 years later. The subjects were male, 59.1%; age, 50.1 ± 6.3 years; and eGFR, 79 ± 14.4 mL/min/1.73 m2. The number of subjects showing CKD progression started to increase from 3 years later. Vector analysis showed that CKD stage G1 A1 was more progressive than CKD stage G2 A1. Bayesian networks showed that the time-series changes in the prognostic category of CKD were related to the outcome. Support vector machines including time-series data of the prognostic category of CKD from 3 years later detected the high possibility of the outcome not only in subjects at very high risks but also in those at low risks at baseline. In conclusion, after the evaluation of kidney function at a health checkup, it is necessary to follow up not only patients at high risks but also patients at low risks at baseline for 3 years and longer.

Assessment of energy expenditure using doubly labeled water, physical activity by accelerometer and reported dietary intake in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes: A preliminary study.

The aim of the present study was to determine the total energy expenditure, physical activity and dietary intake of men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and control participants without type 2 diabetes mellitus who were matched for age and body mass index. The participants in the present study were 12 well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 10 controls, aged 40-75 years, with a body mass index <30 kg/m2 . Total energy expenditure under free-living conditions was assessed using the doubly labeled water method, and physical activity was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Dietary intake was assessed using a self-recorded food intake diary during the measurement period. Participants were instructed to record their dietary intake over 3 days, including 2 weekdays. Total energy expenditure was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.153), nor were energy (P = 0.969) or macronutrient intakes. In conclusion, when age and body mass index are matched, total energy expenditure and self-reported energy intake are not significantly different between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy controls.