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Promoting analysis of real-world data: Prospects for preventive cardiology in Japan
Haruki Yotsumoto1, Hidehiro Kaneko1,2, Hidetaka Itoh1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are leading causes of death in Japan. Analyzing health checkup data can advance preventive cardiology and public health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are leading causes of death in Japan, accounting for 23.2% of all deaths in 2018.
- While mortality from cerebral hemorrhage has decreased due to hypertension management, lifestyle-related diseases like metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease are increasing.
- Aging populations will inevitably increase the future incidence of heart failure in Japan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of preventive cardiology in light of rising lifestyle-related diseases and an aging population.
- To emphasize the value of analyzing real-world data from Japanese health checkups for clinical research and public health.
- To advocate for the dissemination of findings from health checkup data analysis into clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing big data from physical examinations and specific health checkups (metabolic syndrome checkups) conducted in Japan since 2008.
- Analyzing real-world data to identify trends and risk factors associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
- Leveraging existing evidence on the effectiveness of risk factor prevention and management.
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular disease caused 208,210 deaths and cerebrovascular disease caused 108,165 deaths in Japan in 2018.
- Mortality rates for cerebral hemorrhage have significantly declined from historical highs.
- There is a concerning rise in mortality from lifestyle-related diseases, necessitating a focus on preventive strategies.
Conclusions:
- Preventive cardiology is crucial for mitigating the future incidence of cardiovascular disease.
- Real-world data from Japanese health checkups represent a valuable resource for clinical research.
- Disseminating findings from health checkup data analysis into clinical practice will promote public health and advance preventive cardiology.
Abstract:
According to the statistics for 2018 in Japan, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease were the most common causes of death (cardiovascular disease with 208,210, cerebrovascular disease with 108,165), and these two diseases account for 23.2% of all deaths. Stroke, especially cerebral hemorrhage, was the main cause of death in Japan after World War II. Along with improved management of hypertension, the mortality rate from cerebral hemorrhage reached a high of 266.7 per 100,000 men in 1960 and 213.9 per 100,000 women in 1951, then decreased to 15.9 per 100,000 men and 6.9 per 100,000 women in 2013. However, mortality from lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease has been on the rise since 1990 due to the westernization of diet, urban lifestyles, and lack of exercise habits. Moreover, since aging is the greatest risk factor for heart failure, the number of patients with heart failure in Japan will inevitably increase in the future. A large amount of evidence has demonstrated that prevention and proper management of risk factors can reduce the future incidence of cardiovascular disease. Specific health checkups (metabolic syndrome checkups) have been carried out in Japan since 2008. Big data on physical examinations are valuable real-world data that can be utilized for clinical research. As the importance of preventive cardiology increases in the future, we should analyze the real-world data from health checkups in Japan in detail and disseminate these results to clinical practice, which will contribute to development of preventive cardiology and the promotion of public health.
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