Health Observation App for COVID-19 Symptom Tracking Integrated With Personal Health Records: Proof of Concept and Practical Use Study.

BACKGROUND: As a counter-cluster measure to prevent the spread of the infectious novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an efficient system for health observation outside the hospital is urgently required. Personal health records (PHRs) are suitable for the daily management of physical conditions. Importantly, there are no major differences between the items collected by daily health observation via PHR and the observation of items related to COVID-19. Until now, observations related to COVID-19 have been performed exclusively based on disease-specific items. Therefore, we hypothesize that PHRs would be suitable as a symptom-tracking tool for COVID-19. To this end, we integrated health observation items specific to COVID-19 with an existing PHR-based app. OBJECTIVE: This study is conducted as a proof-of-concept study in a real-world setting to develop a PHR-based COVID-19 symptom-tracking app and to demonstrate the practical use of health observations for COVID-19 using a smartphone or tablet app integrated with PHRs. METHODS: We applied the PHR-based health observation app within an active epidemiological investigation conducted by Wakayama City Public Health Center. At the public health center, a list is made of individuals who have been in close contact with known infected cases (health observers). Email addresses are used by the app when a health observer sends data to the public health center. Each health observer downloads the app and installs it on their smartphone. Self-observed health data are entered daily into the app. These data are then sent via the app by email at a designated time. Localized epidemiological officers can visualize the collected data using a spreadsheet macro and, thus, monitor the health condition of all health observers. RESULTS: We used the app as part of an active epidemiological investigation executed at a public health center. During the investigation, 72 close contacts were discovered. Among them, 57 had adopted the use of the health observation app. Before the introduction of the app, all health observers would have been interviewed by telephone, a slow process that took four epidemiological officers more than 2 hours. After the introduction of the app, a single epidemiological officer can carry out health observations. The app was distributed for free beginning in early March, and by mid-May, it had been used by more than 20,280 users and 400 facilities and organizations across Japan. Currently, health observation of COVID-19 is socially recognized and has become one of the requirements for resuming social activities. CONCLUSIONS: Health observation by PHRs for the purpose of improving health management can also be effectively applied as a measure against large-scale infectious diseases. Individual habits of improving awareness of personal health and the use of PHRs for daily health management are powerful armaments against the rapid spread of infectious diseases. Ultimately, similar actions may help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Two Cases of Atraumatic Chylous Ascites Characterized by Hypotriglyceridemia and Partially Managed with an Oral Fat-Free Elemental Diet.

Most cases of chylous ascites occur after surgery, but it also develops in nonoperative cases, although rarely. Such cases are often difficult to treat. In this study, we treated 2 cases of atraumatic chylous ascites, which were controlled by combining diuretic treatment with an oral fat-free elemental diet (Elental®, EA Pharma Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Elental can provide oral nutrition compatible with a lipid-restricted diet, which may be useful for control of chylous ascites. We report on these cases, including literature review-based considerations.

Genetic factors associated with elevation of uric acid after treatment with thiazide-like diuretic in patients with essential hypertension.

We investigated changes in blood pressure (BP) and metabolic adverse effects, especially elevation of uric acid (UA), after treatment with a thiazide-like diuretic (TD) in patients with essential hypertension. Furthermore, the role of genetic factors in the elevation of UA by TD was assessed by a 500 K SNP DNA microarray. The subjects included 126 hypertensive patients (57 women and 69 men, mean age 59 ± 12 years) who registered for the GEANE (Gene Evaluation for ANtihypertensive Effects) study. After one month of the nontreatment period, TD, indapamide, angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan, and Ca channel blocker amlodipine were administered to all patients for 3 months each in a randomized crossover manner. BP, renal function, serum UA level, and electrolytes were measured at baseline and at the end of each treatment period. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with UA elevation after treatment with indapamide were investigated by a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Indapamide significantly decreased both office and home BP levels. Treatment with indapamide also significantly reduced the estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum potassium and increased serum UA. Patients whose UA level increased more than 1 mg/dl showed significantly higher baseline office SBP and plasma glucose and showed greater decline in renal function compared with those who showed less UA increase (<1 mg/dl). Some SNPs strongly associated with an increase in UA after treatment with indapamide were identified. This study is the first report on SNPs associated with UA elevation after TD treatment. This information may be useful for the prevention of adverse effects after treatment with TD.

Awareness of the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension and their use in clinical practices: 2009 survey results.

The objective of this study was to investigate physicians' awareness and use of the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH) Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension (JSH2004 and JSH2009), and determine what changes need to be implemented in the future. A questionnaire was used to survey physicians' awareness and their use of JSH2004 and JSH2009. Physicians attending educational seminars on hypertension that were held during the months after the publication of JSH2009 (January-April 2009) were asked to participate in the survey. Of the 5795 respondents, 88% were aware of the JSH2009 publication. Furthermore, physicians were also aware of JSH2004, with about 90% using JSH2004 in their practice. A hypertension blood pressure (BP) reference value of 140/90 mm Hg was used by 55% in office BP, whereas 31% used 135/85 mm Hg for home BP. Target BP levels used by physicians were 130/80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes or kidney disease (52%) and for elderly patients with diabetes or kidney disease (45%), whereas 140/90 mm Hg was used for elderly patients with low cardiovascular disease risk (44%) and for patients with chronic-phase stroke (27%). Answers to the questionnaire varied among physicians according to sex, age, workplace and specialty. The majority of the participating Japanese physicians were familiar with both JSH2004 and JSH2009, with many following the guidelines in their practice. However, some physicians use different reference values for hypertension and target BP levels. Physicians' adherence to and use of the guidelines should be regularly examined and promoted.

Genome-wide response to antihypertensive medication using home blood pressure measurements: a pilot study nested within the HOMED-BP study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension in the HOMED-BP trial were randomly allocated to first-line treatment with a calcium channel blocker (CCB), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). METHODS: We recruited 265 (93 for CCB, 71 for ACEI and 101 for ARB) patients who completed the genomic study. Home blood pressure was measured for 5 days off-treatment before randomization and for 5 days after 2-4 weeks of randomized drug treatment. Genotyping was performed by 500K DNA microarray chips. The blood pressure responses to the three drugs were analyzed separately as a quantitative trait. For replication of SNPs with p < 10(-4), we used the multicenter GEANE study, in which patients were randomized to valsartan or amlodipine. RESULTS: SNPs in PICALM, TANC2, NUMA1 and APCDD1 were found to be associated with CCB responses and those in ABCC9 and YIPF1 were found to be associated with ARB response with replication. CONCLUSION: Our approach, the first based on high-fidelity phenotyping by home blood pressure measurement, might be a step in moving towards the personalized treatment of hypertension.

[Scientific statement] Report of the Salt Reduction Committee of the Japanese Society of Hypertension(2) Goal and strategies of dietary salt reduction in the management of hypertension.

In this section of the Report of the Salt Reduction Committee of the Japanese Society of Hypertension, the target level of dietary salt reduction and its scientific evidence, present status of salt consumption in Japan, salt-reducing measures/guidance methods in individuals and population strategies to reduce salt intake are introduced. In the Dietary Reference Intake for the general population in Japan (2010 version), the target levels of salt restriction in men and women were established as less than 9.0 per day and 7.5 g per day, respectively. The Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension 2009 recommended the target level of dietary salt restriction in patients with hypertension as less than 6 g per day. However, the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Japan in 2010 reported that the mean salt intake in adults was 10.6 g per day (men: 11.4 g per day and women: 9.8 g per day). To effectively decrease salt intake in Japan, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of high-salt foods (especially traditional foods) and replace high-salt seasonings (soy sauce and so on) with low-salt alternatives. Health-care professionals must effectively perform salt-reduction guidance for hypertensive patients in hospitals/administrative organizations. To promote population strategies for salt reduction in the whole society of Japan, social strategies, such as administrative policies, companies' cooperation and educational staff's cooperation, are necessary.

[Scientific statement] Report of the Salt Reduction Committee of the Japanese Society of Hypertension(1) Role of salt in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Dietary salt consumption is closely associated with the level of blood pressure (BP); stricter salt reduction more markedly decreased BP. Obesity/metabolic syndrome, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, exercise and mental stress influence the BP-elevating effect of high-salt diet. Observational and intervention studies suggested that salt restriction improved the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects may differ among the types of the hypertensive complications; salt reduction may decrease the risk of stroke more than that of ischemic heart disease. Small-scale studies demonstrated that excess salt increased the risk of the left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, the urinary protein/albumin levels and end-stage renal failure. These diverse beneficial effects of salt reduction are probably because low-salt diet is an effective strategy to decrease BP and body fluid volume but is less effective to ameliorate the other cardiovascular risk factors. A mean salt intake in Japan is markedly high. Considering the present condition, salt reduction is essential for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

[Scientific statement] Report of the Salt Reduction Committee of the Japanese Society of Hypertension (3) Assessment and application of salt intake in the management of hypertension.

Salt-reduction guidance to hypertensive patients should be performed by evaluating salt intake of the individuals. However, each method to assess salt intake has both merits and limitations. Therefore, evaluation methods must be selected in accordance with the subject and facility's environment. In special facilities for hypertension treatment, measurement of sodium (Na) excretion with 24-h pooled urine or a survey on dietary contents by dietitians is recommended. In medical facilities in general, measurement of the levels of Na and creatinine (Cr) using second urine samples after waking-up or spot urine samples is recommended. The reliability of this method improves by using formulae including a formula to estimate 24-h Cr excretion. A method to estimate salt intake based on the Na excretion per gram Cr using the Na/Cr ratio in spot urine is simple, but not reliable. The method to estimate the daily excretion of salt from nighttime urine using an electronic salt sensor installed with a formula is recommended to hypertensive patients. Although its reliability is not high, patients themselves can measure this parameter simply at home and thus useful for monitoring salt intake and may intensify consciousness regarding salt reduction. Using these methods, salt intake (excretion) should be evaluated, and salt-reduction guidance targeting <6 g (Na: 100 mmol) per day should be conducted in the management of hypertension.

Relationship between coffee consumption and prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Japanese civil servants.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome has become a major worldwide public health problem. We examined the relationship between coffee consumption and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Japanese civil servants. METHODS: The study participants were 3284 employees (2335 men and 948 women) aged 20 to 65 years. Using data from their 2008 health checkup records, we analyzed the relationship between coffee consumption and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Japanese criteria. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 374 of the 2335 men (16.0%) and 32 of the 948 women (3.4%). In univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios (ORs) among men for the presence of metabolic syndrome were 0.79 (95% CI: 0.56-1.03) and 0.61 (0.39-0.95), respectively, among moderate (≥4 cups of coffee per day) coffee drinkers as compared with non-coffee drinkers. Among all components of metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and high triglyceride level were inversely associated with moderate coffee consumption in men, after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking status, drinking status, and exercise. However, in women, moderate coffee consumption was not significantly associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome or its components. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate coffee consumption was significantly associated with lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Japanese male civil servants.

Report of the Working Group for Dietary Salt Reduction of the Japanese Society of Hypertension: (1) Rationale for salt restriction and salt-restriction target level for the management of hypertension.

Salt excess is well known to be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension, and thus restriction of salt intake is widely recommended for management of the disease. Excessive salt intake induces blood pressure (BP)-dependent as well as -independent progression of cardiovascular disease. Although the human body is considered to be adapted to very low salt intake (0.5-3 g/day), restriction to such a low level of salt intake is extremely difficult to accomplish in developed countries. Significant BP reduction has been reported in large-scale clinical studies in which salt intake was decreased to less than 6 g/day, and the results of a meta-analysis have shown that systolic BP was reduced about 1 mmHg with every decrease in salt intake of 1 g/day in hypertensive subjects. Current guidelines for the treatment of hypertension, including Japanese guidelines, recommend dietary salt reduction to 6 g/day or less in hypertensive patients. However, it appears to be fairly difficult to attain this target of salt intake, especially in Japan. There is thus a need for feasible and effective measures to attain this salt restriction target.

Report of the Working Group for Dietary Salt Reduction of the Japanese Society of Hypertension: (2) Assessment of salt intake in the management of hypertension.

Restriction of dietary salt is widely recommended in the management of hypertension, but assessment of individual salt intake has drawn little attention. The understanding of salt intake is important as a guide for optimizing salt-restriction strategies. However, precise evaluation of salt intake is difficult. More reliable methods are more difficult to perform, whereas easier methods are less reliable. Thus, the method to assess salt intake should be determined as the situation demands. The Working Group for Dietary Salt Reduction of the Japanese Society of Hypertension recommends the assessment of individual salt intake using one of the following methods in the management of hypertension. 1) The measurement of the sodium (Na) excretion from 24-h urine sampling or nutritionist's analysis of the dietary contents, which are reliable but difficult to perform, are suitable for facilities specializing in the treatment of hypertension. 2) Estimation of the Na excretion from the Na/creatinine (Cr) ratio in spot urine is less reliable but practical and is suitable for general medical facilities. 3) Estimation using an electronic salt sensor equipped with a calculation formula is also less reliable but is simple enough that patients can use it themselves. The patients are considered to be compliant with the salt-restriction regimen if salt intake measured by whichever method is less than 6 g (100 mmol)/day.

Groove pancreatitis associated with true pancreatic cyst.

We report a case of groove pancreatitis (GP) associated with a true pancreatic cyst. An 81-year-old man who had suffered epigastric pain for 4 months was referred to Saisekai Kure Hospital. Computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed a cystic lesion in the groove area of the pancreas. Serum amylase elevation and imaging findings suggested GP due to the cyst. Six weeks of medical treatment did not improve the clinical symptoms. Therefore, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histologic examination revealed a true cyst with intraluminal necrosis, which produced a protein plug that obstructed the Santorini duct. The parenchyma surrounding the groove area showed marked fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. GP due to true pancreatic cyst was diagnosed. Although GP is usually caused by overconsumption of alcohol, which leads to changes in the pancreatic juice and the ultimate blockage of pancreatic outflow, the histologic features in our patient suggest that true pancreatic cyst stands as a secondary cause of GP.

[Calcium intake and cardiovascular diseases].

Although a great bulk of epidemiologic, experimental and clinical studies for relationship between calcium intake and morbidity and mortality of hypertension, coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases have been undertaken, they failed to obtain the concurrent results. They also failed to reveal the concurrent preventive and therapeutic effects of calcium supplementation on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It is recommended to take the required amounts of calcium (> or = 600 mg/day) and magnesium (> or = 300 mg/day) not only for prevention of cardiovascular diseases but also for the general health, and to restrict salt intake.