title: The Japan Thrombosis Registry for Atrial Fibrillation, Coronary or Cerebrovascular Events (J-TRACE): a nation-wide, prospective large cohort study; the study design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A previous history of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) are known risk factors for the onset of arterial thromboembolic events such as MI and ischemic stroke. To clarify the rate of incidence of such events for these high-risk patients in Japan, a nation-wide cohort study was conducted that was named the 'Japan Thrombosis Registry of Atrial Fibrillation, Coronary and Cerebrovascular Events' (ie, J-TRACE) [UMIN Registered ID C000000189].
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the J-TRACE registry, a total of 8,093 Japanese patients with either a history of stroke and/or MI or patients with non-valvular AF were registered. This registry was developed by specialists in cardiology and neurology, physicians working at general hospitals, as well as general practice physicians, from whole regions of Japan, possibly reflecting the real-world medical practice. Recruited patients will be followed up for 2-3 years. Medical history, accompanying risk factors, demographic characteristics, and information regarding the use of medications were collected for these patients at baseline. Cardiovascular ischemic events and serious adverse experiences, including cerebral bleedings, which occur during the follow-up period will be recorded over a maximum of 3 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The J-TRACE offers an opportunity to provide fundamental information regarding the incidence of cardiovascular ischemic events by a stratum of the risk factor profile and current medical treatment for Japanese patients at high risk for thromboembolic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Toyama School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. horigasa@las.u-toyama.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Origasa
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikeda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015897:Comorbidity; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology