Japanese study to organize proper lifestyle modifications for metabolic syndrome (J-STOP-MetS): design and method.
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is now a very serious health problem in Japan and a public preventive strategy is essential to reduce morbidity. A systematic interventional strategy for the metabolic syndrome remains to be established. In order to address this issue, a multi-center study; Japanese Study to Organize Proper lifestyle modification for the metabolic syndrome (J-STOP-MetS), has been established by nine preventive medical centers among Rosai hospital groups. This study comprises a cross-sectional study (J-STOP-MetS 1) and a prospective randomized control study (J-STOP-MetS 2). J-STOP-MetS 1 examines the causes of the metabolic syndrome by means of a questionnaire in a large cohort of patients with the metabolic syndrome and control subjects matched for age and sex. J-STOP-MetS 2 examines the hypothesis that guidance on lifestyle modifications will help at risk patients to reduce abdominal fat and cardiovascular risk factors. The metabolic syndrome patients are randomly assigned either to a single visit to a guidance group or multiple visits every two months. The individualized guidance is provided by the coordination of physician, trained nurse, dietician and exercise trainer. Several parameters are measured before and six months after the first guidance session, including, body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, several blood markers and arterial stiffness. The J-STOP-MetS is the first large-scale clinical study of the metabolic syndrome in Japan and should provide important evidence for the practical management of the metabolic syndrome.
Preventive Medical Center, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan. munakata.@tohokuh.rofuku.go.jp
Masanori
M
Munakata
Hiroki
H
Honma
Mitugu
M
Akasi
Takaharu
T
Araki
Takahiko
T
Kawamura
Masashi
M
Kubota
Tomoko
T
Yokokawa
Akira
A
Maruhashi
Toshihiro
T
Toyonaga
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome