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Poor oral health status may alter oral and gut microbiota. Previous studies have shown that poor oral health can exacerbate gut inflammation. Therefore, poor oral health status may be related to fecal incontinence via changes in the gut.To investigate the association between poor oral health status and fecal incontinence in inpatients with dysphagia.This multicenter cross-sectional study included 423 patients (mean age 79.8 ± 11.5 y, 48.2% female) with dysphagia. Oral health status was assessed at each facility using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) or the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). Poor oral health status was defined as an OHAT score of ≥ 3 or a ROAG score of ≥ 13. A multivariate logistic model was used to analyze the association between poor oral health status and fecal incontinence.A total of 351 (83.0%) patients had poor oral health and 97 (22.7%) had fecal incontinence. Patients with poor oral health status had a higher proportion of fecal incontinence than those with normal oral health status (25.4% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.009). A multivariate logistic model revealed an association between fecal incontinence and poor oral health status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.501, 95% confidence interval = 1.065-5.873, P = 0.035).Poor oral health status assessed by OHAT or ROAG in inpatients with dysphagia may adversely affect fecal incontinence. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between poor oral health status and fecal incontinence.

To investigate the utilization and demographic characteristics of in-hospital rehabilitation for patients with acute vestibular neuritis using the Japan Medical Data Center (JMDC) database.We gathered information on patients that were at least 20 years of age who were admitted with a diagnosis of VN (ICD-10 code: H81.2). We defined in-hospital rehabilitation service use as payment of insurance claims for at least one session of rehabilitation during admission.We identified 809 patients that were eligible for this study; among these, 59 patients (7.3%) received rehabilitation while 750 patients did not. The median total time spent and the median time per day in inpatient rehabilitation were 140 min and 11.7 min, respectively. Factors that significantly affected the rehabilitation service use, in order of greater odds, were primary care, internal medicine, and age in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 4.42, 2.17, 1.33, respectively).This study showed that (1) utilization of rehabilitation services by acute patients with VN was low; and (2) age, admission to internal medicine, and admission to primary care were associated with the use of rehabilitation services.

To investigate the effect of rehabilitation on hospital readmissions in patients with cirrhosis.A retrospective cohort study.Acute hospitals.Patients hospitalized due to cirrhosis (N=6485).We defined rehabilitation as any type and intensity of rehabilitation administered by physical, occupational, or speech therapists.Readmission within 30 days after discharge.Rehabilitation was provided to 1177 patients (19.0%). After propensity score matching, rehabilitation was associated with 30- and 90-day readmissions.The present study demonstrated that rehabilitation is associated with lower proportions of 30- and 90-day readmissions in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, rehabilitation may be one way to reduce the risk of readmission in patients hospitalized for cirrhosis.

The purpose of this study was to use the food intake level scale (FILS) to clarify whether calf circumference (CC) and stroke contribute to an improvement of inpatient dysphagia.We used the Japanese sarcopenic dysphagia database (n = 467) to analyze FILS data recorded at admission and after follow-up in 322 cases. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine whether CC and stroke improved the FILS by two points or more.The patient characteristics were as follows: 177 (55%) men; median age, 81 years; median body mass index, 20.3 kg/mOur results suggest that a CC ≥ 29.4 cm and history of stroke contributed to an improvement of inpatient dysphagia at discharge. The contribution of the easy-to-measure CC to predict an improvement in swallowing function may be very useful in daily clinical practice.

This study investigated the usefulness of frailty for predicting adverse events in patients with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) during hospitalization using data obtained from the Japanese health insurance system.This retrospective cohort study of patients with VCFs aged ≥65 years was conducted using a nationwide database in Japan. We examined the relationships between frailty risk, classified using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), in-hospital mortality, and complications such as pressure ulcers and pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between the HFRS and the outcomes of patients with VCFs.In this study, the data of 30 980 in-patients with VCFs were analyzed. Of these patients, 76.8%, 21.3%, and 1.9% had low, intermediate, and high risks of frailty, respectively. The higher the risk of frailty, the higher the rate of in-hospital mortality and the occurrence of all complications (P 0.001 for trend). An intermediate risk of frailty was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.421; P 0.001), whereas a high risk of frailty did not show statistical significance (OR, 1.385; P = 0.150). Each frailty risk was independently associated with the occurrence of all complications during hospitalization.The HFRS, which can assess the risk of frailty based on routinely collected medical records, was predictive of adverse events in older patients with VCFs based on a nationwide database in Japan. Future studies need to assess approaches to preventing adverse events in frail VCF patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 233-239.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between frailty risk and outcomes in older patients with pneumonia. For this purpose, the JMDC multi-center database was used, and a historical cohort study was conducted to examine the association between the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) and oral intake prognosis and length of hospital stay in older patients hospitalized with pneumonia. Patients were classified into low-risk (HFRS < 5), intermediate-risk (HFRS = 5–15), and high-risk (HFRS > 15) groups based on their HFRS scores, and outcomes were defined as the number of days from admission to the start of oral intake and length of hospital stay. A total of 98,420 patients with pneumonia (mean age 82.2 ± 7.2) were finally included. Of these patients, 72,207 (73.4%) were in the low-risk group, 23,136 (23.5%) were in the intermediate-risk group, and 3077 (3.1%) were in the high-risk group. The intermediate- and high-risk groups had a higher number of days to the start of oral intake than the low-risk group (intermediate-risk group: coefficient 0.705, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.642–0.769; high-risk group: coefficient 0.889, 95% CI 0.740–1.038). In addition, the intermediate- and high-risk groups also had longer hospital stays than the low-risk group (intermediate-risk group: coefficient 5.743, 95% CI 5.305–6.180; high-risk group: coefficient 7.738, 95% CI 6.709–8.766). Overall, we found that HFRS is associated with delayed initiation of oral intake and prolonged hospital stay in older patients with pneumonia. Therefore, evaluation based on HFRS could be helpful in making clinical decisions regarding the selection of feeding strategies and when to discharge older patients with pneumonia.

We evaluated the utility of the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) as a predictor of adverse events after hospitalization in a retrospective analysis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This historical cohort study analyzed the data of patients hospitalized with TBI between April 2014 and August 2020 who were registered in the JMDC database. We used HFRS to classify the patients into the low- (HFRS < 5), intermediate- (HFRS5-15), and high- (HFRS > 15)-frailty risk groups. Outcomes were the length of hospital stay, the number of patients with Barthel Index score ≥ 95 on, Barthel Index gain, and in-hospital death. We used logistic and linear regression analyses to estimate the association between HFRS and outcome in TBI. We included 18,065 patients with TBI (mean age: 71.8 years). Among these patients, 10,139 (56.1%) were in the low-frailty risk group, 7388 (40.9%) were in the intermediate-frailty risk group, and 538 (3.0%) were in the high-frailty risk group. The intermediate- and high-frailty risk groups were characterized by longer hospital stays than the low-frailty risk group (intermediate-frailty risk group: coefficient 1.952, 95%; confidence interval (CI): 1.117–2.786; high-frailty risk group: coefficient 5.770; 95% CI: 3.160–8.379). The intermediate- and high-frailty risk groups were negatively associated with a Barthel Index score ≥ 95 on discharge (intermediate-frailty risk group: odds ratio 0.645; 95% CI: 0.595–0.699; high-frailty risk group: odds ratio 0.221; 95% CI: 0.157–0.311) and Barthel Index gain (intermediate-frailty risk group: coefficient −4.868, 95% CI: −5.599–−3.773; high-frailty risk group: coefficient −19.596, 95% CI: −22.242–−16.714). The intermediate- and high-frailty risk groups were not associated with in-hospital deaths (intermediate-frailty risk group: odds ratio 0.901; 95% CI: 0.766–1.061; high-frailty risk group: odds ratio 0.707; 95% CI: 0.459–1.091). We found that HFRS could predict adverse outcomes during hospitalization in TBI patients.

The association of Japanese and Mediterranean dietary patterns with muscle weakness in middle-aged and older Japanese individuals is unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between Japanese and Mediterranean dietary patterns and muscle weakness in community-dwelling, middle-aged, and older Japanese individuals (enrolled from 2007 to 2011). Based on the dietary consumption information obtained from the brief self-administered diet history questionnaire, we assessed adherence to the Japanese (12-component revised Japanese diet index (rJDI12)) and Mediterranean (alternate Mediterranean diet (aMed) score) dietary patterns. Muscle weakness was defined as handgrip strength

Background Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) is a non-invasive treatment method that can penetrate to deeper structures with painless stimulation to improve motor function in people with physical impairment due to brain or nerve disorders. rPMS for people after stroke has proved to be a feasible approach to improving activities of daily living and functional ability. However, the effectiveness and safety of this intervention for people after stroke currently remain uncertain. This is an update of the review published in 2017. Objectives To assess the effects of rPMS in improving activities of daily living and functional ability in people after stroke. Search methods On 7 January 2019, we searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE; Embase; the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL); PsycINFO; the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED); Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence (OTseeker); the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro); ICHUSHI Web; and six ongoing trial registries. We screened reference lists, and we contacted experts in the field. We placed no restrictions on the language or date of publication when searching electronic databases. Selection criteria We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted to assess the therapeutic effect of rPMS for people after stroke. Comparisons eligible for inclusion were (1) active rPMS only compared with 'sham' rPMS (a very weak form of stimulation or a sound only); (2) active rPMS only compared with no intervention; (3) active rPMS plus rehabilitation compared with sham rPMS plus rehabilitation; and (4) active rPMS plus rehabilitation compared with rehabilitation only. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion. The same review authors assessed methods and risk of bias, undertook data extraction, and used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence. We contacted trial authors to request unpublished information if necessary. We resolved all disagreements through discussion. Main results We included four trials (three RCTs and one cross-over trial) involving 139 participants. Blinding of participants and physicians was well reported within all trials. We judged the overall risk of bias across trials as low. Only two trials (with 63 and 18 participants, respectively) provided sufficient information to be included in the meta-analysis. We found no clear effect of rPMS on activities of daily living at the end of treatment (mean difference (MD) -3.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -16.35 to 10.35; P = 0.66; 1 trial; 63 participants; low-quality evidence) and at the end of follow-up (MD -2.00, 95% CI -14.86 to 10.86; P = 0.76; 1 trial; 63 participants; low-quality evidence) when comparing rPMS plus rehabilitation versus sham plus rehabilitation. We found no statistical difference in improvement of upper limb function at the end of treatment (MD 2.00, 95% CI -4.91 to 8.91; P = 0.57; 1 trial; 63 participants; low-quality evidence) and at the end of follow-up (MD 4.00, 95% CI -2.92 to 10.92; P = 0.26; 1 trial; 63 participants; low-quality evidence) when comparing rPMS plus rehabilitation versus sham plus rehabilitation. We observed a significant decrease in spasticity of the elbow at the end of follow-up (MD -0.48, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.03; P = 0.03; 1 trial; 63 participants; low-quality evidence) when comparing rPMS plus rehabilitation versus sham plus rehabilitation. In terms of muscle strength, rPMS treatment was not associated with improved muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexors at the end of treatment (MD 3.00, 95% CI -2.44 to 8.44; P = 0.28; 1 trial; 18 participants; low-quality evidence) when compared with sham rPMS. No studies provided information on lower limb function or adverse events, including death. Based on the GRADE approach, we judged the quality of evidence related to the primary outcome as low, owing to the small sample size of the studies. Authors' conclusions Available trials provided insufficient evidence to permit any conclusions about routine use of rPMS for people after stroke. Additional trials with large sample sizes are needed to provide robust evidence for rPMS after stroke.

The accuracy of body mass index (BMI) for sarcopenic dysphagia diagnosis, which remains unknown, was evaluated in this study among patients with dysphagia. We conducted a 19-site cross-sectional study. We registered 467 dysphagic patients aged ≥ 20 years. Sarcopenic dysphagia was assessed using a reliable and validated diagnostic algorithm. BMI was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine diagnostic accuracy for sarcopenic dysphagia. The study included 460 patients (median age, 83.0 years (76.0–88.0); men, 49.8%). The median BMI was 19.9 (17.3–22.6) kg/m2. Two hundred eighty-four (61.7%) patients had sarcopenic dysphagia. The AUC for sarcopenic dysphagia was 0.60–0.62 in the overall patients, male, female, and patients aged ≥ 65 years The BMI cut-off value for sarcopenic dysphagia diagnosis was 20.1 kg/m2 in the overall patients (sensitivity, 58.1%; specificity, 60.2%) and patients aged ≥ 65 years (sensitivity, 59.8%; specificity, 61.8%). Conclusion: Although the AUC, sensitivity and specificity of BMI for sarcopenic dysphagia diagnosis was approximately 0.6, BMI < 20.0 kg/m2 might be a predictor for sarcopenic dysphagia. In clinical settings, if patients with dysphagia have a BMI < 20.0 kg/m2, then sarcopenic dysphagia should be suspected as early as possible after admission.

Hypoalbuminemia is associated with fluid overload, the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and mortality. The co-administration of albumin and diuretics for the treatment of patients with hypoalbuminemia is expected to increase urine output, without hemodynamic instability, and improve pulmonary function; however, these effects have not been systematically investigated. Here, we aimed to clarify the benefits of the co-administration of albumin and diuretics in mechanically ventilated patients.We searched for randomized, placebo-controlled trials that investigated the effects of the co-administration of albumin and diuretics compared with placebo and diuretics, in mechanically ventilated patients with hypoalbuminemia. We searched these trials in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via PubMed, and EMBASE databases. Primary outcomes were hypotensive events after the intervention, all-cause mortality, and the length of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were improvement in the ratio of partial pressure arterial oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F ratio) at 24 hours, total urine output (mL/d), and the clinical requirement of renal replacement therapy (RRT).From the 1574 records identified, we selected 3 studies for quantitative analysis. The results of albumin administration were as follows: hypotensive events (risk ratio [RR] -1.05 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.15-0.81]), all-cause mortality (RR 1.0 [95% CI: 0.45-2.23]), the length of mechanical ventilation in days (mean difference -1.05 [95% CI: -3.35 to 1.26]), and improvement in P/F ratio (RR 2.83 [95% CI: 1.42-5.67]). None of the randomized controlled trials reported the total urine output, and one reported that no participants required RRT. Adverse events were not reported during the trials. The certainty of evidence was low (in the hypotensive events after the intervention and all-cause mortality) to moderate (in the length of mechanical ventilation in days, improvement of P/F ratio, clinical requirement of RRT, and adverse events).Although this treatment combination reduced the number of days for which mechanical ventilation was required, it did not reduce the all-cause mortality at 30 days. In conclusion, the co-administration of albumin and diuretics may reduce hypotensive events and improve the P/F ratio at 24 hours.

Malnutrition is associated with poor functional outcomes in residents in long-term care facilities. The integrated facility for medical and long-term care (IFMLC) is a new Japanese long-term care facility where medical services can be provided. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition diagnosed based on the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and its association with activities of daily living (ADL) in older residents in IFMLC. In this cross-sectional study of older residents, we diagnosed mild and severe malnutrition using the GLIM criteria and assessed ADLs using the Barthel index (BI). Multivariate regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between BI score and GLIM-defined malnutrition. A total of 117 older residents (84 women; median age, 88 years) were analyzed in this study. The prevalence values of mild and severe malnutrition were 29% and 18%, respectively. Multivariate analyses for the BI score after adjusting for potential confounders showed that mild and severe malnutrition were independently associated with BI score (B = −6.113, p < 0.046; B = −8.411, p = 0.015, respectively). GLIM-defined malnutrition is negatively associated with ADLs in older residents in IFMLC.

In sarcopenic dysphagia, confirmation of recovery of the swallowing function and activity of daily living is insufficient. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the recovery of the swallowing function and activities of daily living between sarcopenic dysphagia patients and non-sarcopenic dysphagia patients.The registry data of the Japanese Sarcopenic Dysphagia Database were used for the analysis; 440 patients met the eligibility criteria of the study. Dysphagia was evaluated according to the Food Intake Level Scale and a five-step diagnostic algorithm for the disorder. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of sarcopenic dysphagia.Sarcopenic dysphagia was found in 268 cases (60.9%). The rate of improvement in the Food Intake Level Scale was 47.4% in sarcopenic dysphagia patients and 62.2% in non-sarcopenic dysphagia patients. The rate of improvement in the Food Intake Level Scale was lower in the sarcopenic dysphagia patients (P = 0.008). A multiple regression analysis showed that the presence of sarcopenic dysphagia had a significant influence on changes in the Food Intake Level Scale and Barthel Index (β = -0.191, 95% confidence interval, -1.484 to -0.530, P 0.001, β = 0.112, 95% confidence interval, 0.587 to 10.450, P = 0.028).Improvement in the swallowing function was poor in patients with sarcopenic dysphagia. Sarcopenic dysphagia should be examined to improve swallowing function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 839-845.

This study reviewed the effect of vocal exercise on patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).An electronic search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and Embase databases was conducted for relevant studies published between 1980 and 2022. The review included studies that used randomized controlled trials to examine the effects of vocal exercise on people with cervical SCI.We screened 1351 articles, of which 4 studies were eligible for inclusion. Vocal exercises were conducted two or three times a week for 12-24 weeks. Random sequences were adequately generated in all studies. All studies used respiratory function as the main outcome, and three studies used vocal quality as an outcome. In all studies, there were no dropouts other than those caused by unexpected illness. Vocal exercises were reported to have a positive effect on respiratory function in all studies and on voice quality in three studies. Meta-analysis was not possible because of the heterogeneity of the studies.Vocal exercise for SCI is a sustainable method that does not require special equipment or skills. More studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm the effects of vocal exercises in patients with cervical SCI.

Background Malnutrition is associated with worse outcome in rehabilitation patients; however, appropriate malnutrition screening tools for this population have not been investigated. We examined the predictive validity of specific cut-off values of the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form version 2 (MNA-SFv2) for Japanese rehabilitation patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed adult patients (≥ 20 years) in the Japan Rehabilitation Nutrition Database who were in convalescent rehabilitation wards after stroke or hip fracture. Patients were classified into three categories based on MNA-SFv2 original (0-7, 8-11 and 12-14 points, respectively) or modified (0-5, 6-7 and 8-14 points, respectively) cut-off values: malnutrition, at risk of malnutrition or well-nourished. Functional independence measure (FIM) and home discharge were compared between the categories. Results Overall, 489 patients were analyzed. Based on the MNA-SFv2 original and modified cut-off values, 64.4% and 36.0% were malnourished, 32.3% and 28.4% were at risk of malnutrition, and 3.3% and 35.6% were well-nourished, respectively. Malnutrition defined by both cut-off values was significantly associated with the FIM at admission, whereas only those defined by modified cut-off values predicted the FIM at discharge (B, -7.1; 95% confidence interval = -12.3 to -1.9). Neither original, nor modified cut-off values predicted discharge to home and long-term care facilities. Conclusions An MNA-SFv2 score of 0-5 points may be useful to identify Japanese patients with poor outcomes in a rehabilitation setting.

This retrospective cohort study examined the effects of undernutrition on swallowing function and activities of daily living in hospitalized patients. Data from the Japanese Sarcopenic Dysphagia Database were used, and hospitalized patients aged ≥20 years with dysphagia were included in the analysis. Participants were assigned to the undernutrition or normal nutritional status group based on the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. The primary outcome was the Food Intake Level Scale change, and the secondary outcome was the Barthel Index change. Among 440 residents, 281 (64%) were classified under the undernutrition group. The undernutrition group had a significantly higher Food Intake Level Scale score at baseline and Food Intake Level Scale change (p = 0.001) than the normal nutritional status group. Undernutrition was independently associated with the Food Intake Level Scale change (B = −0.633, 95% confidence interval = −1.099 to −0.167) and the Barthel Index change (B = −8.414, 95% confidence interval = −13.089 to −3.739). This was defined as the period from the date of admission to the hospital until discharge or 3 months later. Overall, our findings indicate that undernutrition is associated with reduced improvement in swallowing function and the ability to perform activities of daily living.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass in an aged population with limited oral intake upon admission and functional oral intake at the subsequent 3-month follow-up. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the Japanese Sarcopenia Dysphagia Database involving older adults (≥60 years) with limited oral intake (Food Intake Level Scale [FILS] level of ≤8). People without skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) data, unknown methods of SMI evaluation, and SMI evaluation by DXA were excluded. Data for 76 people (47 women, 29 men) were analyzed (mean [standard deviation] age: 80.8 [9.0] years; median SMI: women, 4.80 kg/m2; men, 6.50 kg/m2). There were no significant differences in age, FILS upon admission and methods of nutrition intake between the low (n = 46) and the high skeletal muscle mass groups (n = 30), although the proportion of sex between the two groups was different. The FILS level at the time of follow-up differed significantly between the groups (p < 0.01). The SMI upon admission (odds ratio: 2.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.09–8.16) were significantly associated with the FILS level at the time of follow-up after adjustment for sex, age, and history of stroke and/or dementia (p < 0.05, power = 0.756). Conclusion: A low skeletal muscle mass is a disadvantage for achieving a subsequent fully functional oral intake ability among the aged population with limited oral intake upon admission.

Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to facilitate rehabilitation at hospitals by distracting patients’ attention from pain and by providing a virtual environment favorable for motivating the patients to continue rehabilitation. However, the application of VR in a home-visit rehabilitation remains to be validated. Here, we report a case in which home-visit rehabilitation using immersive VR was effective for post-stroke hemiplegic shoulder pain. Case presentation: After treatment, at a general hospital, for the hypertensive hemorrhage in the right brain capsule that resulted in the residual attention deficit disorder and left hemiplegia, a 63-year-old woman was cared for with a home-visit rehabilitation in a rural area. The patient had persistent pain in her left shoulder, which increased during activities of daily living and during rehabilitation, and the pain precluded rehabilitation. A VR relaxation program was delivered to the patient to alleviate pain during rehabilitation. Her shoulder pain was successfully alleviated using VR during training for muscle stretching and passive joint mobilization. Conclusion: The application of VR to home rehabilitation in rural areas may augment the effectiveness of home rehabilitation by alleviating pain during the procedure and sustaining the motivation for home rehabilitation.