Evaluating the feasibility of a remote-based training program supported by information and communications technology in the older adults living at home.

BACKGROUND: Exercise has been one of the key strategies for preventing frailty. While training programs for preventing frailty have been mainly developed in person, which have now become difficult to perform due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. It would be worthwhile to explore a feasibility of methods for a remote-based training with information and communications technology (ICT) in the pre-frail/robust older adults living at home. METHODS: We assessed the feasibility of a remote-based training with ICT device in terms of 1) a measurement accuracy and 2) whether it could be used for remote-based training of different intensities. To evaluate a measurement accuracy of the ICT device, we evaluated an inter-rater reliability between a true score and scores obtaining from the ICT device in 20 participants aged 65 years and older. Intraclass correlation was calculated. To evaluate a feasibility of remote-based training interventions of different intensities, we did a parallel, randomized, active controlled trial. Participants aged 65 years or older were randomly allocated to the two 3-month intervention programs with different intensity of exercise with the ICT (i.e., an Exercise-Intensive program and a Light-load exercise program). The primary outcome was 3-month scores of the 30-s chair-stand test (CS-30), which was compared between two groups using mixed models for repeated measures to account for within-person correlations. RESULTS: The ICT device showed a high intraclass correlation of over 0.99 for all outcomes including CS-30. Between Aug and Oct 2020, 70 participants (36 and 34 in the Exercise-Intensive and Light-load exercise programs, respectively) were randomized. After 3 months of intervention, CS-30 scores and other physical function improved in both groups. Difference in the 3-month CS-30 scores between two programs was found to be 0.08 (95% confidence interval: - 2.64, 2.79; p = 0.955), which was not statistically significant. No harmful incidents, such as falls, occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: We showed a remote-based training with ICT device in the older adults living at home was feasible. Further studies are warranted to determine what kind of remote exercise intervention programs is more effective for maintaining a physical performance and, beyond that, preventing frailty. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000041616 (05/09/2020) https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000047504&type=summary&language=E.

Changes in percutaneous coronary intervention practice in Japan during the COVID-19 outbreak: LIFE Study.

AIM: The global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has had widespread effects on clinical practice, and is reportedly associated with reduced percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) rates in the US and Italy. This study aimed to ascertain the influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on PCI practice in Japan. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of claims data from National Health Insurance and Later-Stage Elderly Healthcare System enrollees in Kobe City, Japan, we examined the changes in PCI incidence before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Percutaneous coronary intervention incidence during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 was compared with that of the same (pre-outbreak) period in 2019 using a Poisson regression analysis with the monthly number of PCIs as the dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 639 patients underwent PCI in Kobe City between February and May 2020. The results showed a 19% reduction in all PCI procedures during the outbreak relative to the pre-outbreak period (P = 0.001). There were no significant changes in non-elective PCIs for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases, but a 25% reduction in elective PCIs for non-ACS cases (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a decline in elective PCIs for non-ACS cases, but did not appear to influence non-elective PCIs for ACS cases in Japan.

Association of intensive care unit admission and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: An admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) after developing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been the standard of care and is recommended by professional societies. However, evidence that justifies its use, such as a reduction in mortality, has never been shown despite the associated financial burden. This study aimed to investigate the association between ICU admission and a reduction in 30-day mortality in patients who developed AMI. METHODS: The multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from an administrative database between 2014 and 2016 in Japan. Patients with AMI as the primary diagnosis in the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database were included. Exposure was ICU admission, which was defined by an ICU management code in the claims record. Comparison was those without an ICU management code. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. An association between ICU admission and a 30-day mortality was tested using a logistic regression model with random effects. RESULTS: Of 18,745 patients [mean (standard deviation) age, 69 (13) years; 74% male] identified, 11,538 (62%) were admitted to ICUs and 7207 (38%) were admitted to non-ICUs. Among patients admitted to ICUs, 575 patients (5%) died within 30 days of admission, while 429 patients (6%) died in the non-ICU group. The association between ICU admission and mortality was confirmed both in unadjusted analysis [odds ratio (OR), 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-0.89; p=0.001] and adjusted analysis (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54-0.90; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ICU admission was associated with lower 30-day mortality in patients who developed AMI.

Follow-up tests and outcomes for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: analysis of a Japanese administrative database.

Follow-up tests after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are considered inappropriate for asymptomatic patients. Despite this perception, many cardiologists conduct follow-up tests as routine practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the survival benefits of follow-up testing after PCI in a real-world setting in Japan. A nationwide Japanese administrative database was used to identify unselected patients who underwent PCI with stent implantation between January 2010 and December 2013. We used time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association between follow-up testing and outcomes. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Among a total of 21,409 patients, 15,095 (70.5%) completed follow-up testing, of whom 9814 (45.0%) underwent coronary angiography. During a median of 2.7 years of observation, the primary outcome occurred less frequently for patients who underwent follow-up testing (1.21 vs. 4.51% per year; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI 0.52-0.67; p < 0.001). Individual rates of all-cause death and AMI were also lower for the patients who underwent follow-up testing. Follow-up testing was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death and/or AMI. However, because of the unexpectedly large effect and many limitations of the administrative data, our findings should be further investigated to assess the net benefit of follow-up tests. In addition, we do not intend to encourage routine follow-up tests for patients without clear clinical indications. Follow-up tests should be conducted in accordance with clinical indications.

Timing and facilitation of advanced directives in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reveal Japanese elders' perspective on optimal timing and method of receiving unified guidance about advance directives (AD). METHODS: We convened 202 elders (average age 66) to learn about end-of-life at Kyoto University. They listened to a presentation and viewed two videos on advance care planning and AD; then 167 completed detailed questionnaires about unified timing and methods of providing such information. RESULTS: A majority of Japanese elders (79%) agreed with unified guidance in combination with the issue of health insurance cards at age 65 or 75. The most preferred method for receiving information was video presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese elders appear to welcome the idea of receiving information about AD when they are issued health insurance cards at age 65 or 75. Use of video materials holds great promise for educating elderly Japanese about their choices on AD.

Preoperative fluid restriction for trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock decreases ventilator days.

Aim: In recent years, with the concept of damage control resuscitation, hemostasis and preoperative fluid restriction have been carried out, but there is controversy regarding the effectiveness of fluid restriction. Methods: From April 2007 to March 2013, 101 trauma patients presented with hemorrhagic shock (systolic blood pressure ≤90 mmHg) at the prehospital or emergency department and were admitted to Hyogo Emergency Medical Center (Hyogo, Japan). They underwent emergency hemostasis by surgery and transcatheter arterial embolization. We compared two groups in a historical cohort study, the aggressive fluid resuscitation (AR) group, which included 59 cases treated in the period April 2007-March 2010, and the fluid restriction (FR) group, which included 42 cases treated in the period April 2010-March 2013. Results: There was no difference between both groups in patient background (heart rate, 110 b.p.m.; systolic blood pressure, 70 mmHg). The Injury Severity Score was 34 (AR) versus 38 (FR) (not significant). Preoperative infusion volume of crystalloid significantly decreased, from 2310 mL (AR) to 1025 mL (FR) (P ≤ 0.01). There was no difference in mortality (36% [AR] versus 41% [FR]). Ventilator days significantly decreased, from 8.5 days (AR) to 5.5 days (FR) (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Preoperative fluid restriction for trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock did not improve mortality, but it decreased ventilator days by reducing the perioperative plus water balance and it might contribute to perioperative intensive care.

Metastatic basaloid-squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated by 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSC) of the esophagus is a rare malignant disease. We report here a patient with recurrent esophageal BSC, who was successfully treated by systemic chemotherapy containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP). A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus upon endoscopic examination. Curative esophagectomy with lymph node dissection was performed under the thoracoscope. The pathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen was BSC. Five months after operation, the patient was diagnosed as having a recurrence of the BSC with metastases to the liver and spleen, and a right paraclavicular lymph node. She was given systemic chemotherapy consisting of continuous infusion of 800 mg/d of 5-FU and 3 h infusion of 20 mg/d of CDDP for 5 consecutive days every 4 wk. The metastatic lesions in the spleen and right paraclavicular lymph node disappeared, and the liver metastasis was apparently reduced in size after 2 courses of chemotherapy. The tumor regression was seen over 6 courses, with progression afterwards. Although subsequent treatment with CPT-11 and CDDP was not effective, docetaxel and vinorelbine temporarily controlled the tumor growth for 2 mo. 5-FU and CDDP combination may be useful for the patients with advanced BSC.