Japanese study to organize proper lifestyle modifications for metabolic syndrome (J-STOP-MetS): Design and method

Abstract

Masanori Munakata1, Hiroki Honma2, Mitugu Akasi3, Takaharu Araki4, Takahiko Kawamura5, Masashi Kubota6, Tomoko Yokokawa7, Akira Maruhashi8, Toshihiro Toyonaga9  On behalf of the J-STOP-MetS Study GroupAll authors belong to Preventive Medical Centers of Rosai Hospital Groups in Japan; 1Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan; 2Iwamizawa Rosai Hospital, Iwamizawa, Japan; 3Kantou Rosai Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan; 4Tokyo Rosai Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; 5Cyubu Rosai Hospital, Nagoya, Japan; 6Oosaka Rosai Hospital, Sakai, Japan; 7Kansai Rosai Hospital, Amagasaki, Japan; 8Chugoku Rosai Hospital, Kure, Japan; 9Kyusyu Rosai Hospital, Kokura, JapanAbstract: 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.Keywords: metabolic syndrome, J-STOP-MetS, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia