High body mass index and triglyceride levels at health checkups increase the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease and worsening renal function: the TAMA MED Project-CKD.

BACKGROUND: Health checkups are important in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is not easily accompanied by subjective symptoms. CKD can be caused or aggravated by factors that have not yet been identified. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 7 483 patients who underwent specific annual health checkups at a medical institution in Tama City, did not have CKD in 2012, and continued to undergo checkups (aged 40-74 years). We examined the risk factors for new-onset CKD and 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine levels among laboratory values from 2012 to 2020. RESULTS: Age, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride levels, atrial fibrillation, and medication for hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus were independent risk factors for proteinuria, whereas current smoking, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and medication for HT were independent risk factors for estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. SBP, triglyceride levels and medication for HT were risk factors for a 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine levels during course of the study. The cut-off values of BMI for eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were 22.2 (men 24.7, women 22.1) kg/m2 and fasting triglyceride levels for a 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine level were 171 (men 247, women 170) mg/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Health checkups provide information to prevent new-onset CKD and worsening of renal function. It is necessary to increase the rate of health checkups and visits to medical institutions after health checkups as well as to use these results for health guidance.

Factors Influencing Sarcopenic Changes in YUBI-WAKKA Finger-Ring Test Results After One Year: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: The YUBI-WAKKA (finger-ring) test was developed and validated as a predictor of sarcopenia, physical disability, and even mortality. We focused on the sarcopenic status and subsequent changes after 1 year using this test and analyzed factors related to these changes. We also examined the robustness of this test by administering it alongside annual checkups held in local clinics. Methods: We conducted the study to investigate the data of the annual checkup of National Health Insurance at primary care clinics in 2017 and 2018 in Tama City. We studied the participants in a retrospective observational way. The participants of the YUBI-WAKKA test were a total of 5,405 and 4,391 residents between the ages of 65 and 74 years. We first compared anthropological biomarkers of two groups, those that had calves larger than their own finger-ring and those that had calves smaller than their own finger-ring. Then, we compared these results to those from the previous year's 1,048 pairs of data. We were particularly interested in changes from larger to smaller, which we defined here as a sarcopenic change, and performed multivariate logistic regression analysis with forced entry methods to determine the related factors. We also calculated the concordant rate of the test results after 1 year. Results: In total, 14% (men) and 16% (women) each year received a positive (sarcopenic) YUBI-WAKKA test result. The factors related to this sarcopenic change in 1 year were low uric acid in men and a low or decreasing body mass index and increased hemoglobin and alanine aminotransferase in women. The concordant rates of the larger, just fit and smaller groups following finger-ring testing were 72.8%, 63.5%, and 52.0%, respectively. Conclusions: We propose that low uric acid and low or reducing body weight were related to low muscle mass and that ALT and Hb may be indirectly related to sarcopenia. These could be predictive factors to determine sarcopenia-prone individuals. The YUBI-WAKKA (finger-ring) test results and their change were considered to be a sustainable and reasonable way to use in the community with small effort to find those who are at high risk for sarcopenia among the elderly population and who may require intervention.

Sarcopenia and coexistent risk factors detected using the 'Yubi-wakka' (finger-ring) test in adults aged over 65 years in the public annual health check-up in Tama City, Tokyo: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the positive rate of sarcopenia using the 'Yubi-wakka' (finger-ring) test and associated risk factors among adults aged 65 years and older. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: We used the Yubi-wakka test, which has been developed and validated as a predictor of sarcopenia, frailty, disability and mortality. A positive test result is indicated by a smaller calf circumference than the finger-ring. The test was administered during annual health check-ups among residents of Tama City, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: During the 2019 fiscal year, 12 894 individuals aged 65 years and older underwent the Yubi-wakka test at primary care clinics. INTERVENTIONS: Examinees conducted the test themselves in a seated position. They formed a ring around their calf using both thumbs and index fingers and judged whether their calf was larger, the same or smaller than their finger-ring. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared anthropometric and serological data between the positive (smaller calf) and negative (larger calf) test result groups. RESULTS: The positive rate was 15.4% among men and 18.5% among women. The prevalence of a positive result was higher in those aged ≥80 years than in younger age groups in both sexes (men: 22.8%; women: 28.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was a risk factor for detecting a positive test result in women aged 65-74 years (OR 3.445; 95% CI 1.44 to 8.29) and ≥75 years (OR 3.37; 95% CI 1.97 to 5.78). CONCLUSIONS: Because the Japanese population is healthy and lives long, interventions against sarcopenia are important, especially for older adults aged >75 years. The presence of metabolic syndrome may be a risk factor for sarcopenia (as detected by the Yubi-wakka test) and future frailty, and requires closer attention, especially among women.

Anemia and atrial fibrillation as independent risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease: the TAMA-MED Project-CKD and AF.

BACKGROUND: Various risk factors have been identified for the new onset or rapid deterioration of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is thought that many risk factors that have not yet been clarified remain. METHODS: Based on the results of specific annual health checkups at Tama City (n = 18 383) in 2017 and 2018, we analyzed the factors that cause new-onset CKD and the risk factors that rapidly worsen renal function. For new-onset CKD, proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were examined separately. Rapid deterioration of renal function was defined as an eGFR ≥25% less than the previous year. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that in addition to age and impaired glucose tolerance, anemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) were risk factors for the new appearance of proteinuria. Risk factors for a decrease in eGFR to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were age and hyperuricemia. Age, systolic hypertension, urinary protein and urinary occult blood, high triglycerides and anemia were significant risk factors for the rapid deterioration of renal function in patients with CKD Stage ≥3. CONCLUSIONS: From the results of specific annual health checkups at Tama City, AF, anemia and hyperuricemia were identified as risk factors for new-onset CKD over a short period of 1 year. Anemia was also a factor for the rapid deterioration of kidney function in subjects with renal dysfunction.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease Classification on New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in the General Population　- The TAMA MED Project-AF and CKD.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are known risk factors for each other. In Tama City in Tokyo, 12-lead ECG and serum creatinine concentration have been included as essential examinations in specific health checkups to diagnose AF and CKD. In the present study, we investigated the impact of CKD classification on new-onset AF in the general population.Methods and Results:Among 13,478 subjects aged 40-74 years at entry (age, 65.6±7.8 years; men, 42.0%), renal impairment with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2and proteinuria were found in 15.5% and 4.6%, respectively. CKD severity in individual subjects was classified according to a heatmap of the Japanese Society of Nephrology as 81.3% in the green, 15.1% in the yellow, 2.5% in the orange, and 0.9% in the red. Of those without AF in 2012, it had developed in 115 up to 2017; thus, the new-onset AF incidence rate was 2.6/1,000 person-years. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for new-onset AF in each CKD classification were 1.50 (0.93-2.41, P=0.097) in the yellow, 2.53 (1.03-6.23, P=0.044) in the orange, and 4.65 (1.47-14.70, P=0.009) in the red compared with the green as a reference. CONCLUSIONS: CKD classification was significantly associated with new-onset AF in the general population. Thus, it would be useful for risk stratification of new-onset AF. Renal function evaluation is recommended in health checkups.

Medical and Dental Visits of Chronic Kidney Disease-Diagnosed Participants Analyzed From the Specific Health Checkups Results in Japan: TAMA MED Project-CKD.

BACKGROUND: Since 2012, Tama City has promoted the early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), through an initiative that measures serum creatinine as part of the specific health checkups. We examined preventive measures against CKD deterioration based on the outcomes of this initiative. METHODS: The complications, medication status, body mass index, smoking status and other determining factors were surveyed among CKD-diagnosed participants over 3 years between 2013 and 2015. Moreover, factors aggravating CKD were investigated via a survey of medical and dental visits based on health insurance claim data over the same period. RESULTS: There was an increased rate of comorbid hypertension with each increase in the CKD stage. Comorbidity rates of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking increased until CKD stage G4, and then decreased from stage G5. A substantial number of participants with CKD stage G3b and above were not medicated despite comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. While the rate of regular visits at medical institutions was seen to increase significantly in accordance with the worsening degree of CKD, there were also individuals who, despite having severe CKD, did not visit medical institutions specializing in internal medicine. The rate of dental visits decreased as the CKD stage increased, and further decreased as the diabetic control status worsened. CONCLUSIONS: CKD patients should become aware of the importance of the dental visit because only a limited number of patients with advanced CKD received dental care.

"Yubi-wakka" (Finger-Ring) Test: A Tool to Detect Prefrailty in Elderly Populations, a Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Preventing frailty of elderly is an urgent issue in Japan. The "Yubi-wakka" (finger-ring) test was developed and validated as a predictor of sarcopenia, disability and even mortality. To clarify the prevalence of "frailty" defined by this test and the relationship between other indexes cross-sectionally and prospectively, we conducted this study. METHODS: Five thousand four hundred and five subjects who were 65 to 74 years old participated in this study. In a sitting position, the subjects surrounded their calf using their own finger-ring, and whether the calf was larger, just fit, or smaller than the finger-ring was determined. We analyzed these "Yubi-wakka" (finger-ring) test results and other clinical indexes. We used Student's t-tests and the Chi-squared tests to compare the data between the groups, and logistic regression tests to adjust for multiple variables. RESULTS: In total, 38.8% of the subjects' calves were judged as being "larger", 45.6% as "just fit" and 15.6% as "smaller", which was the positive test result. The positive rate differed among medical facilities without any known different characteristics. The comparison between the "larger" and "smaller" groups revealed that body weight, red blood cell count, serum lipids, uric acid and liver enzymes were significantly different between the groups. Metabolic syndrome was more common in the "larger" group. In multiple analysis, low body mass index was an independent risk factor in both sexes. Positive urinary glucose, higher aspartate aminotransferase, systolic blood pressure and low alanine transaminase were risk factors for positive test results for males. Smoking, high hemoglobin and old age were risk factors for positive test results in females. CONCLUSIONS: The test was simple and feasible enough for the primary care setting, without the requirement of any devices. However, the positive rate varied among the clinics. The subjects' age was limited to under 75 years, and the test possibly detected individuals without metabolic syndrome and fatty liver. We are also planning to increase the subjects' age range and collect data prospectively.

Prevalence and Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in the General Population Based on National Health Insurance Special Health Checkups　- TAMA MED Project-AF.

BACKGROUND: Although National Health Insurance special health checkups have been useful for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, they are insufficient to identify atrial fibrillation (AF). In Tama City in Tokyo, 12-lead electrocardiogram has been included as an essential examination in special health checkups to diagnose AF since 2008. Methods and Results: In subjects aged 40-74 years at entry, prevalence of AF was 0.8% (men, 1.7%; women, 0.2%) in 2008 and 1.4% (men, 2.9%; women, 0.4%) in 2015. Of 10,430 subjects without AF in 2008 (mean age, 64.9±7.1 years; men, 40.4%), AF developed in 133 between 2008 and 2015. The incidence rate of new-onset AF was 2.5/1,000 person-years during an observation period of 52,707 person-years. On multivariate Cox regression analysis in subjects without a history of cardiac disease, hypertension (HR, 1.58; 95% CI: 1.01-2.47, P=0.045) and body mass index (BMI; /1-kg/m2increase; HR, 1.07; 95% CI: 1.00-1.12, P=0.049) were significant risk factors for new-onset AF in addition to age and male sex. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of AF increased between 2008 and 2015. Age, male sex, hypertension, and BMI were significant predictors for future incidence of AF in the general population without overt cardiac disease. Controlling hypertension and BMI may prevent new-onset AF in the general population.