Frailty assessment and estimation device and frailty assessment and estimation method

Abstract

This method estimates the evaluation results of a subject who has already received evaluation results using one frailty assessment method, assuming they were evaluated using another frailty assessment method. [Solution] A frailty assessment estimation device characterized by comprising: a basic information acquisition unit that acquires assessment result information of a subject according to a predetermined frailty assessment method; and a frailty assessment estimation unit that estimates the assessment result of the subject according to another frailty assessment method based on the assessment result information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frailty assessment and estimation device and a frailty assessment and estimation method.

Background Art

[0002] Frailty refers to a state in which the functions of the body and mind and social connections of the elderly become weak. If frailty is left untreated, there is a possibility of irreversible life function impairment, but it has been confirmed by intervention studies that it can be restored to a healthy state (referred to as robust) and prevented through appropriate measures.

[0003] Regarding the assessment of frailty, various methods have been proposed, but there is currently no unified standard (see Non-Patent Document 1). For example, as a standard widely adopted in Japan, there is the J-CHS standard by the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology. In addition, there are known a basic checklist (25 items) for those 65 years old and above in long-term care insurance business, a questionnaire (15 items) for the elderly in the late-stage elderly medical system for those 75 years old and above, and a frailty check (Tokyo University-style frailty check) by the Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo.

[0004] However, since there is no unified frailty assessment standard as described above, it has been difficult to compare the assessment results by different assessment methods in each local government implementing insurance business and preventive care business. Therefore, the diagnosis results of frailty could not be fully utilized for the planning and analysis of insurance business and preventive care business.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a technique for estimating the results of one frailty assessment method from the results of another frailty assessment method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention, which solves the above problems, A basic information acquisition unit that acquires evaluation result information of the subject using a prescribed frailty assessment method, A frailty assessment estimation unit estimates the assessment results of the subject using other frailty assessment methods based on the aforementioned assessment result information. This is a frailty assessment and estimation device characterized by having the following features:

[0008] According to this, if a subject has obtained evaluation results using one frailty assessment method, it is possible to estimate the evaluation results if an evaluation using another frailty assessment method were performed.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, The frailty assessment estimation unit may also estimate the evaluation results of the subject using the other frailty assessment method when the assessment is performed using the predetermined frailty assessment method.

[0010] According to this, when a subject is undergoing an assessment using a prescribed frailty assessment method, the results of other frailty assessment methods for that subject at the time the assessment was performed are... It is possible to estimate this.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, The frailty assessment estimation unit may also estimate the evaluation results of the subject using the other frailty assessment method in the future, relative to the time when the assessment is performed using the predetermined frailty assessment method.

[0012] According to this, if a subject has undergone an assessment using a prescribed frailty assessment method, it is possible to estimate the results of other frailty assessment methods for that subject at a future point in time from the time the assessment was conducted.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, The evaluation results estimated by the frailty evaluation estimation unit based on the other frailty evaluation method may be information indicating the frailty status of the subject, or whether each of the multiple evaluation criteria included in the other frailty evaluation method is met or not.

[0014] According to this, it is possible to recognize frailty-related states such as robust, pre-frail, and frail based on evaluation results from other frailty assessment methods. Furthermore, it is possible to recognize whether or not an individual meets the specific evaluation criteria consisting of multiple items included in other frailty assessment methods.

[0015] Furthermore, in the present invention, The basic information acquisition unit acquires attribute information indicating the attributes of the subject, The frailty assessment estimation unit may be characterized by estimating the assessment results of the subject using the other frailty assessment method based on the subject's assessment result information and attribute information.

[0016] By adding attribute information of the subjects in this way, the estimation accuracy of evaluation results from other frailty assessment methods can be improved. Attribute information of the subjects includes, but is not limited to, gender and age.

[0017] Furthermore, in the present invention, The aforementioned basic information acquisition unit acquires supplementary information regarding the subject's life, The frailty assessment estimation unit may estimate the assessment results of the subject using the other frailty assessment method based on the subject's assessment result information, attribute information, and supplementary information.

[0018] As a result, by further adding and estimating supplementary information regarding the subject's life, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy of the evaluation results by other frailty evaluation methods. The supplementary information regarding the subject's life includes, but is not limited to, information regarding lifestyle habits such as exercise, diet, and social participation.

[0019] Also, in the present invention, it may be provided with an analysis information generation unit that generates analysis information regarding frailty, including the estimation result information of the evaluation of the subject by the other frailty evaluation methods.

[0020] By generating analysis information obtained by performing analysis processing such as statistical processing of aggregating only the estimation results of the evaluation by other frailty evaluation methods, for example, at the local government level, more useful information can be generated.

[0021] Also, the present invention includes a step of obtaining evaluation result information of a subject by a predetermined frailty evaluation method, and a step of estimating the evaluation result of the subject by other frailty evaluation methods based on the evaluation result information, and is a frailty evaluation estimation method characterized by including these steps.

[0022] According to this, when a certain subject has obtained an evaluation result by a certain frailty evaluation method, it is possible to estimate the evaluation result when the evaluation by other frailty evaluation methods is performed.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for estimating the evaluation result by other frailty evaluation methods from the evaluation result by a certain frailty evaluation method.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining frailty evaluation estimation according to Example 1. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the frailty screening examination. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the frailty checklist. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the University of Tokyo's frailty check. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the content of the J-CHI standard. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram including the frailty assessment and estimation device according to Example 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the frailty assessment estimation method for a modified example of Example 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the estimation of frailty assessment items related to Example 2. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a functional block diagram including the frailty assessment and estimation device according to Example 2. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the estimation of frailty assessment items in a modified example of Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] [Example 1] The frailty assessment and estimation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration of the device and system described in this embodiment should be appropriately modified depending on various conditions. In other words, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiment.

[0026] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the frailty assessment estimation in the frailty assessment estimation device 100 according to Example 1. Currently, there is no standardized method for evaluating frailty, so various evaluation methods are being used.

[0027] One method for assessing frailty is the frailty screening test, which consists of the items shown in Figure 2. The questions are answered with "yes" or "no". The questions are: No.1: How is your current health?, No.2: Are you satisfied with your daily life?, No.3: Do you eat three meals a day properly?, No.4: Has it become more difficult to eat hard foods (such as dried squid or pickled radish) compared to six months ago?, No.5: Do you sometimes choke on tea or soup?, No.6: Have you lost 2-3 kg or more in the last six months?, No.7: Do you think your walking speed has slowed down compared to before?, No.8: Have you fallen in the last year?, No.9: Do you exercise, such as walking, at least once a week?, No.10: Have people around you said that you are forgetful, such as "always asking the same questions"?, No.11 The questionnaire consists of 15 items, including: No. 12: Do you sometimes not know what month and day it is?, No. 13: Do you go out at least once a week?, No. 14: Do you regularly socialize with family and friends?, and No. 15: Do you have someone close to you you can talk to when you're feeling unwell?

[0028] In addition, there is a basic checklist shown in Figure 3 as another method for assessing frailty. The questions are answered with "yes" or "no". The questions are: No.1: Do you go out alone by bus or train? No.2: Do you shop for daily necessities? No.3: Do you deposit or withdraw money from your savings account? No.4: Do you visit friends' houses? No.5: Do you give advice to family or friends? No.6: Do you climb stairs without holding onto the handrail or wall? No.7: Do you stand up from a seated position without holding onto anything? No.8: Do you walk continuously for about 15 minutes? No.9: Have you fallen in the past year? No.10: Are you very anxious about falling? No.11: Have you lost 2-3 kg or more in the last 6 months? No.12: Is your BMI less than 18.5? No.13: Has it become more difficult to eat hard foods compared to six months ago? No.14: Do you sometimes choke on tea or soup? The questionnaire consists of 25 items, including: 5: Do you experience dry mouth?, No. 16: Do you go out at least once every six weeks?, No. 17: Have you gone out less often than last year?, No. 18: Have people around you said you are forgetful, such as "always asking the same questions"?, No. 19: Do you look up phone numbers and make calls yourself?, No. 20: Do you sometimes not know what month and day it is?, No. 21: (In the last two weeks) I don't feel fulfilled in my daily life., No. 22: (In the last two weeks) I no longer enjoy things that I used to enjoy., No. 23: (In the last two weeks) Things that used to be easy now feel like a chore., No. 24: (In the last two weeks) I don't feel like I'm a useful person., No. 25: (In the last two weeks) I feel tired for no reason.

[0029] Another method for assessing frailty is the University of Tokyo Frailty Check, shown in Figure 4. This check consists of 11 questions and 11 in-depth checks. For the 11 questions, the subject answers by attaching a "yes" or "no" sticker, as shown on the far right. In reality, the stickers are blue and red, but in the figure, blue is represented by a white circle and red by a black circle. The questionnaire consists of 11 items: No.1: Compared to people of the same sex and of roughly the same age, do you make an effort to eat a healthy diet? No.2: Do you eat both vegetable dishes and a main dish (meat or fish) at least twice a day? No.3: Can you normally chew foods that are as hard as dried squid or pickled radish? No.4: Do you sometimes choke on tea or soup? No.5: Do you exercise enough to make you sweat for 30 minutes or more at least twice a week for more than a year? No.6: Do you walk or engage in equivalent physical activity for at least one hour a day in your daily life? No.7: Do you think you walk faster than people of the same sex and of roughly the same age? No.8: Have you gone out less often than last year? No.9: Do you eat with someone at least once a day? No.10: Do you think you are full of energy? No.11: Above all, are you concerned about forgetfulness? The in-depth check consists of 11 items: No.1: Chewing strength ("strong", "weak", or "none"), No.2: Slurred speech ("poor"), No.3: Slurred speech ("good"), No.4: Oral health (score), No.5: Standing on one leg ("can stand" or "cannot stand"), No.6: Calf (cm), No.7: Grip strength (dominant hand) (kg), No.8: Muscle mass of hands and feet (score), No.9: Social connections (score), No.10: Organizational participation (score), and No.11: Mutual support (score). Trained supporters measure and score each item using measuring equipment as indicated in parentheses. The fewer red stickers on the answers, the lower the risk of frailty is considered to be.

[0030] Furthermore, another method for assessing frailty is the J-CHI criteria, shown in Figure 5. These criteria were created by a research group at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, by modifying the CHS criteria to standard values ​​appropriate for Japan. The J-CHI criteria include: No. 1 Weight loss: More than 2 kg of (unintentional) weight loss in 6 months. The assessment consists of five items, and each item (for No. 5, both (1) and (2)) is evaluated as "applicable" or "not applicable".

[0031] Returning to Figure 1, the frailty assessment estimation device 100 in this embodiment estimates the evaluation results of other frailty assessment methods based on evaluation result information from predetermined frailty assessment methods (here, frailty screening, basic checklist, and University of Tokyo frailty check). Specifically, it acquires the evaluation results from a certain frailty screening of a subject, as well as information on the subject's gender and age, and inputs this into the frailty assessment estimation unit 130. As an estimated result, it estimates whether the subject is robust, pre-frail, or frail according to the J-CHI criteria. Here, robust refers to a healthy or robust person, pre-frail refers to a stage before frailty, and frail refers to a state in which an elderly person's physical and mental functions and social connections have weakened.

[0032] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of the system including the frailty assessment and estimation device 100 according to this embodiment. In this system, the frailty assessment and estimation device 100 and the user terminal 200 are connected via a network for communication.

[0033] The user terminal 200 is a computer device managed and used by a public institution such as a local government, which holds evaluation result data based on a particular frailty assessment method for a subject. The user terminal 200 is a general-purpose computer device having a processing unit such as a CPU, main memory such as RAM and ROM, auxiliary storage such as EPROM, hard disk drive, and removable media, input units such as a keyboard, touch panel, and mouse, and output units such as a display and printer.

[0034] The frailty assessment estimation device 100 is a computer device that has the function of estimating the results of one frailty assessment method based on the results of another frailty assessment method. The frailty assessment estimation device 100 is a general computer device having a processing unit such as a CPU, main memory such as RAM and ROM and auxiliary storage such as EPROM, hard disk drive, removable media, input unit such as a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, etc. and output unit such as a display. The frailty assessment estimation device 100 may consist of a single computer or may consist of multiple computers that cooperate with each other via a network.

[0035] The frailty assessment and estimation device 100 includes a basic information acquisition unit 110, an anonymization processing unit 120, a frailty assessment and estimation unit 130, and an analysis information generation unit 140. Each of these functional units is realized by loading a program stored in an auxiliary storage device into the main memory and executing it in the arithmetic unit.

[0036] The basic information acquisition unit 110 acquires basic information subject to frailty assessment estimation from the user terminal 200 via the network. Specifically, the basic information includes, for example, the results of a frailty screening, the results of a basic checklist, the results of the University of Tokyo frailty check, and other evaluation results from a frailty assessment method, as well as the gender and age of the subject. Here, the gender and age of the subject correspond to the attribute information of the present invention.

[0037] The anonymization processing unit 120 performs anonymization processing on the information to be processed. Anonymization processing involves, for example, deleting some of the descriptions or personal identification codes contained in personal information. Therefore, this process generates pseudonymized information, which is information about an individual obtained by processing personal information in such a way that a specific individual cannot be identified unless it is cross-referenced with other information. The anonymization process may also include the process of generating anonymized information, which is information about an individual obtained by processing personal information in such a way that a specific individual cannot be identified by deleting some of the descriptions or personal identification codes contained in the personal information, and which is such that the personal information cannot be restored. If the information to be processed obtained by the basic information acquisition unit 110 has already undergone anonymization processing, the anonymization effect processing can be omitted.

[0038] The frailty assessment estimation unit 130 has the function of estimating whether a subject would be evaluated as robust, pre-frail, or frail according to the J-CHI criteria, based on the subject's frailty screening results, basic checklist results, University of Tokyo frailty check results, and the subject's gender and age, using a frailty assessment estimation AI. The frailty assessment estimation AI is generated by learning from information from large-scale elderly cohort studies such as the Kashiwa Study, information accumulated in the KDB (National Health Insurance Database) system, and care needs certification information such as the number of people requiring support and care held by each local government. This learning includes evaluation results from various frailty assessment methods for the elderly, as well as information including changes over time in physical, mental / cognitive, and social aspects of their condition. Information from large-scale elderly cohort studies, information accumulated in the KDB system, and care needs certification information from each local government are stored in the data storage unit. Data acquired by the basic information acquisition unit 110 is also sequentially stored in the data storage unit.

[0039] The analysis information generation unit 140 generates analysis information, including the estimated results of frailty assessment based on the J-CHI standard, as pseudonymized information estimated by the frailty assessment estimation unit 130. The analysis information may include, for example, aggregates of the number of robust, pre-frail, and frail individuals by municipality, the incidence rates within the elderly population for each, and comparative results with other municipalities, such as the ranking of this information within the prefecture. The aggregates of robust, pre-frail, and frail individuals by municipality may include the number of people requiring long-term care, the number of people requiring support, and the number of people with dementia, and further, the incidence rate of requiring long-term care, the incidence rate of requiring long-term care, and the incidence rate of dementia may be calculated based on these (this information can be obtained from the municipality's statistical information). Since the evaluation results using the same frailty assessment method, the J-CHI standard, can be estimated, comparison with information from other municipalities becomes possible. The analysis information can be provided to users who have provided frailty assessment information, such as frailty screening results. Furthermore, the analytical information can be used by local government users to compare the characteristics of healthcare demand in their municipality with those of other municipalities nationwide. This allows them to utilize the information for planning insurance programs and preventative care programs, as well as for analyzing and evaluating implemented insurance and preventative care programs.

[0040] [Variation 1] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the outline of a frailty evaluation and estimation device 100 according to a modified example of Example 1. In Example 1, as shown in Figure 1, the evaluation results according to the J-CHI criteria were estimated based on evaluation results such as the subject's frailty assessment results and information on the subject's gender and age. Here, however, in addition to gender and age, information about the subject is acquired and the evaluation results according to the J-CHI criteria are estimated based on more detailed information. Specifically, lifestyle data such as information on the subject's exercise, diet, and social participation are acquired. By adding lifestyle data, the subject's condition can be identified in more detail, so the evaluation results according to the J-CHI criteria can be estimated with greater accuracy. Here, lifestyle data corresponds to supplementary information about the subject's life in this invention.

[0041] [Example 2] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the estimation of frailty evaluation items in the frailty evaluation estimation device 101 according to Example 2. The information obtained is the same as in the example shown in Figure 1, but in Example 2, as shown in Figure 8, the evaluation results for each item of the J-CHI criteria for the subject one year after the time of the evaluation are estimated based on the evaluation result information from a predetermined frailty evaluation method.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the J-CHI criteria include five items: No. 1 weight loss, No. 2 muscle weakness, No. 3 fatigue, No. 4 walking speed, and No. 5 physical activity. In Example 2, it is estimated whether the subject meets or does not meet each of these criteria (for No. 5, (1) and (2)) after one year. Here, each item corresponds to an item in the evaluation criteria of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 9 is a functional block diagram of a system including the frailty assessment estimation device 101 according to Embodiment 2. Components common to Figure 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted. The frailty assessment estimation device 101 includes a basic information acquisition unit 110, an anonymization processing unit 120, a frailty assessment estimation unit 130, an analysis information generation unit 140, a data storage unit, and a frailty assessment item estimation unit 150. The frailty assessment item estimation unit 150, like the other functional units, is realized by expanding a program stored in an auxiliary storage device into the main memory and executing it in the arithmetic unit.

[0044] The frailty assessment item estimation unit 150 has the function of estimating whether each item applies or does not apply when the subject is evaluated according to the J-CHI criteria one year later, based on the subject's frailty screening results, basic checklist results, University of Tokyo frailty check results, and the subject's gender and age, using a frailty assessment estimation AI. As explained in Example 1, the data for generating the frailty assessment estimation AI includes a large amount of information including changes over time in the physical, mental / cognitive, and social aspects of the same person's condition. Therefore, it is possible to estimate not only the evaluation results according to the J-CHI criteria at the time the subject underwent a certain frailty assessment method, but also the evaluation results according to the J-CHI criteria for each item at a specific point in the future. Similar to Example 1, it is also possible to estimate whether the evaluation result according to the J-CHI criteria at a specific point in the future is robust, pre-frail, or frail. However, since each item of the J-CHI criteria specifies a concrete state, estimating the applicability of each item allows for a more specific understanding of the subject's future condition. Here, we estimate the applicability of each item under the J-CHI criteria one year later, but this can be done at any point in the future, not limited to one year later.

[0045] The analysis information generation unit 140 generates analysis information, including the estimated items of the frailty assessment based on the J-CHI criteria one year later, as pseudonymized information estimated by the frailty assessment estimation unit 130. The analysis information may include, for example, the aggregated number of robust, pre-frail, and frail individuals for each municipality one year later, the incidence rate within the elderly population one year later for each municipality, and comparison results with other municipalities such as the ranking of this information within the prefecture. The aggregated number of robust, pre-frail, and frail individuals for each municipality may include the number of people requiring long-term care, the number of people requiring support, and the number of people with dementia one year later, and further, the incidence rate of requiring long-term care, the incidence rate of requiring long-term care, and the incidence rate of dementia one year later may be calculated based on these. Since each item can be estimated using the same frailty assessment method, the J-CHI criteria, it is possible to compare with information from other municipalities. The analysis information can be provided to users who have provided frailty assessment information such as frailty screening results. Furthermore, the analytical information can be used by local government users to compare the characteristics of healthcare demand in their municipality with those of other municipalities nationwide. This allows them to utilize the information for planning insurance programs and preventative care programs, as well as for analyzing and evaluating implemented insurance and preventative care programs.

[0046] [Variation 2] Figure 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the estimation of frailty evaluation items in the frailty evaluation estimation device 101 according to a modified example of Example 2. In Example 2, as shown in Figure 8, the applicability of each item of the J-CHI criteria after one year was estimated based on evaluation results such as the frailty assessment results of the subject, and information on the subject's gender and age. Here, in addition to gender and age, information on the subject is acquired, and the applicability of each item of the J-CHI criteria is estimated based on more detailed information. Specifically, lifestyle data such as information on the subject's exercise, diet, and social participation is acquired. By adding lifestyle data on the subject, the subject's condition can be identified in more detail, so the applicability of each item of the J-CHI criteria can be estimated with greater accuracy. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 Frailty Assessment and Estimation Device 110 Basic information acquisition department 130 Frailty Assessment and Estimation Unit 140 Analysis information generation section 150 Frailty Assessment Item Estimation Section

Claims

1. A basic information acquisition unit that acquires evaluation result information of the subject using a prescribed frailty assessment method, A frailty assessment estimation unit estimates the assessment results of the subject using other frailty assessment methods based on the aforementioned assessment result information. A frailty assessment and estimation device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The frailty assessment estimation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frailty assessment estimation unit estimates the evaluation result of the subject using the other frailty assessment method when the assessment is performed using the predetermined frailty assessment method.

3. The frailty assessment estimation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frailty assessment estimation unit estimates the evaluation results of the subject person by the other frailty assessment method in the future, relative to the time when the assessment is performed by the predetermined frailty assessment method.

4. The frailty assessment estimation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation results estimated by the frailty assessment estimation unit according to the other frailty assessment method are information indicating the frailty status of the subject, or whether each of the multiple evaluation criteria included in the other frailty assessment method is met or not.

5. The basic information acquisition unit acquires attribute information indicating the attributes of the subject, The frailty assessment estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frailty assessment estimation unit estimates the assessment result of the subject according to the other frailty assessment method based on the subject's assessment result information and attribute information.

6. The aforementioned basic information acquisition unit acquires supplementary information regarding the subject's life, The frailty assessment estimation device according to claim 5, characterized in that the frailty assessment estimation unit estimates the assessment result of the subject according to the other frailty assessment method based on the subject's assessment result information, attribute information, and supplementary information.

7. The frailty assessment estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an analysis information generation unit that generates analysis information relating to frailty, including estimated result information of the assessment of the subject by the other frailty assessment method.

8. The steps include obtaining evaluation result information of the subject using a prescribed frailty assessment method, A step of estimating the evaluation results of the subject using other frailty assessment methods based on the aforementioned evaluation result information, A method for estimating frailty, characterized by including the following:

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