Support program, support device, storage medium, and support method

Abstract

To support health care for a patient.SOLUTION: A support program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as: storage means 102 that stores event history information related to the history of events including a first event related to ingestion of nutrition through at least one of a user's diet and medication and a second event related to at least the user's tenesmus; and display means 106 that displays support information for supporting diagnosis of the user, wherein the support information is generated based on the event history information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support program, a support device, a storage medium, and a support method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for supporting the health management of a patient by recording the patient's information has been known. Patent Document 1 describes a life information system for enabling a user to notice the causal relationship between lifestyle habits and physical condition and obtain an objective and post-verifiable analysis result. Patent Document 2 describes a system for automatically collecting a patient's excretion information and performing health management.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the techniques described in the prior art documents may not be able to sufficiently support the health management of patients. Specifically, for patients with a specific disease (for example, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)), the prior art may not be able to sufficiently support the health management of the patients.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to support the health management of patients.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An assistance program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as storage means for storing event history information regarding an event history including at least a first event related to the user's intake of nutrition by at least one of diet and medication and a second event related to at least the user's bloating, and display means for displaying assistance information for assisting in the diagnosis of the user, the assistance information being generated based on the event history information.

[0007] An assistance device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores event history information regarding an event history including at least a first event related to the user's intake of nutrition by at least one of diet and medication and a second event related to at least the user's bloating, and a display unit that displays assistance information for assisting in the diagnosis of the user, the assistance information being generated based on the event history information.

[0008] An assistance method according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute a step of storing event history information regarding an event history including at least a first event related to the user's intake of nutrition by at least one of diet and medication and a second event related to at least the user's bloating, and a step of displaying assistance information for assisting in the diagnosis of the user, the assistance information being generated based on the event history information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The present invention can assist in the health management of patients.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described. In each figure, those denoted by the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0012] In the present invention, the "part", "means", "device", and "system" do not simply mean a physical means, but also include the case where the functions of the "part", "means", "device", and "system" are realized by software. Further, even if the functions of one "part", "means", "device", or "system" are realized by two or more physical means, devices, or software, or the functions of two or more "parts", "means", "devices", or "systems" are realized by one physical means, device, or software, it is also possible.

[0013] <1. Configuration of the System According to This Embodiment> With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the system according to this embodiment will be described. The system according to this embodiment includes a support device 1, a server device 2, and a communication network 3.

[0014] - Support Device 1 - The support device 1 is typically a device that can utilize a support program for assisting in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The support device 1 is typically used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (including adult patients, pediatric patients, and close relatives such as the patient's family members). The patient can check the display screen of the support device 1 and utilize it for understanding their own situation. Also, the patient can present the display screen of the support device 1 to the doctor who treats them, and the doctor can view it and determine or change the treatment policy, etc. That is to say, the support device 1 can also be said to support the maintenance of the patient's motivation for treatment by enabling the user to objectively view their situation, and support the doctor who treats the patient. The support device 1 is an electronic device having a display function, such as a smartphone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, and a smartwatch. In this embodiment, the support device 1 is a smartphone, and the support program will be described as application software installed and utilized in the support device 1. Also, in this embodiment, a patient with inflammatory bowel disease who uses the support device 1 is referred to as a "user". The support device 1 is equipped with a touch panel, and the user can operate the support device 1 by touching the touch panel.

[0015] The support device 1 supports the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease by displaying information regarding nutrient intake and information regarding the occurrence of abdominal distension. Although details will be described later, the occurrence of abdominal distension is closely related to inflammation in the intestine, and the doctor can more efficiently determine, change, or treat the treatment policy, etc. of inflammatory bowel disease by observing the occurrence situation of abdominal distension (not only the properties of feces and the occurrence situation of constipation).

[0016] Note that the "treatment" in the present embodiment includes, in addition to curing a disease, leading a disease to a remission state (also referred to as remission induction) and maintaining the remission state.

[0017] The support device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 14, and a network interface unit 18, and each is electrically connected via a bus 16.

[0018] By executing various programs stored in the storage unit 14, the control unit 10 functions as an input reception means 100, a storage means 102, a generation means 104, a display means 106, a selection reception means 108, a comparison means 110, an input means 112, and an output means 114.

[0019] [Input reception means 100] The input reception means 100 receives the input of information regarding an event including at least one of a first event related to the intake of nutrients by the user's diet and medication and a second event related to at least one of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and defecation.

[0020] Information regarding the intake of nutrients by diet includes, for example, information such as the diet menu, ingredients included in the diet, items of the diet, the amount of calories ingested by the diet, the amount of nutrients (e.g., protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, etc.) ingested by the diet, the time when the diet was taken, the place where the diet was taken, the time taken for the diet, and information regarding beverages ingested with the diet.

[0021] Information on nutrient intake by taking medicine includes, for example, information on the name, ingredients, manufacturer, and effects of the medicine taken, the amount of calories ingested by taking the medicine, the amount of nutrients ingested by taking the medicine, the time of taking the medicine, the place where the medicine was taken, and the like. Further, taking medicine includes taking nutritional agents such as enteral nutritional agents and component nutritional agents (for example, but not limited to, Ensure (registered trademark), Enlive (registered trademark), Lacor (registered trademark), Inolass (registered trademark)). In the present embodiment, taking medicine is described as taking a nutritional agent. Therefore, although those that supplement nutrition such as supplements are included, they may be included in the diet as appropriate.

[0022] Information on tenesmus includes, for example, information on the time when tenesmus occurred and the severity of the symptoms of tenesmus. Tenesmus is also referred to as tenesmus, and those skilled in the art can appropriately understand its definition. In this specification, it indicates symptoms of having no bowel movement despite having the urge to defecate, having the urge to defecate and having a bowel movement but having a small amount of stool regardless of the stool shape (hard stool, normal stool, soft stool), and having the urge to defecate and having a bowel movement but feeling a sense of incomplete evacuation. Further, tenesmus may occur in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and infectious enteritis, and recording its occurrence frequency and degree can lead to assisting a doctor's judgment regarding remission, relapse, or treatment of the disease.

[0023] Information on abdominal pain includes, for example, information on the time when abdominal pain occurred and the severity of the symptoms of abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is one of the main symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, and recording its occurrence frequency and degree can lead to assisting a doctor's judgment regarding remission or relapse of the disease.

[0024] Information regarding defecation includes, for example, information regarding the time of defecation, the amount of feces, the shape of feces, the color of feces, and the presence or absence of bloody stools. The shape of feces may be represented by the Bristol Stool Shape Scale. Bloody stools in the present invention are a general term for any one or more of fresh bloody stools, dark red stools, mucoid bloody stools, black stools, and occult bloody stools. Recording such defecation information leads to assisting a doctor's judgment regarding remission, relapse, or treatment of a disease.

[0025] An example of the display screen when the input receiving means 100 receives the input of information regarding the first event (i.e., meals and taking medicine) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 - 8. Also, an example of the display screen when the input receiving means 100 receives the input of information regarding the second event (i.e., defecation, abdominal pain, and flatulence) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 - 11.

[0026] [Storage means 102] The storage means 102 stores the information regarding the event received by the input receiving means 100 as event history information. The event history information is stored in the event history information DB140 of the storage unit 14.

[0027] Also, in the present embodiment, the event history information includes information in which the time when the event occurred is associated with information regarding whether the event is a meal, taking medicine, defecation, abdominal pain, or flatulence.

[0028] [Generation means 104] The generation means 104 generates support information for assisting in understanding the situation regarding the user based on the event history information. The support information is typically information that assists the user in objectively viewing their own situation, or information that assists a doctor in diagnosing, determining or changing a treatment plan, or performing treatment for the user's inflammatory bowel disease. The support information includes information presenting the event history information, for example, as a table, bar graph (including a stacked bar graph), pie chart, line graph, histogram, radar chart, timeline, scatter diagram, bubble chart, box-and-whisker plot, diagram, and heat map, etc. The generation means 104 may change or regenerate the support information based on the user's operation.

[0029] [Display means 106] The display means 106 displays the support information generated by the generation means 104. An example of the display screen of the support information will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 - 14.

[0030] [Selection reception means 108] The selection reception means 108 receives a selection for displaying information regarding at least a part of abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and less defecation. That is, by operating the selection reception means 108, the user can apply a filter to the support information displayed by the display means 106 and selectively display the desired information. An example of the display screen when the selection reception means 108 receives a selection will be described later with reference to FIG. 14.

[0031] [Comparison means 110] The comparison means 110 compares reference information, which is calculated based on at least a part of the user's height, weight, gender, age, disease type, and physical activity level and is a standard for the amount of nutrients that the user should ingest per unit period, with ingestion information, which is the amount of nutrients that the user ingested during a unit period by a first event.

[0032] Also, the support information displayed by the display means 106 may include the comparison result by the comparison means 110. An example of the display screen of the support information including the comparison result will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

[0033] [Input means 112] The input means 112 receives the input of various types of information to the support device 1 by operating devices connected to the data I / F 306, communication I / F 308, and input I / F 304 described later. The input means 112 receives, for example, input such as operation information, video information, image information, text information, voice information, and position information from the user. The input means 112 may receive the input of at least a part of the user's height, weight, gender, age, type of disease, and physical activity level.

[0034] [Output means 114] The output means 114 outputs various types of information from the support device 1 by operating devices connected to the data I / F 306, communication I / F 308, and display device 310 described later. The output means 114 outputs, for example, video information, image information, text information, voice information, etc.

[0035] —Server device 2— The server device 2 is a device having a function of enabling the support device 1 to use the support program. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the server device 2 is a device that transmits software (i.e., an installer) for installing the support program to the support device 1.

[0036] —Communication network 3— The communication network 3 is a network configured such that the support device 1 and the server device 2 can communicate with each other. Communication via the communication network 3 may be realized by any suitable protocol.

[0037] <2. Hardware configuration of the support device 1> With reference to FIG. 2, an example of the hardware configuration when the above-described support device 1 is realized by a computer 400 will be described. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them among a plurality of devices.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 400 includes a processor 300, a storage device 302, an input I / F 304, a data I / F 306, a communication I / F 308, and a display device 310.

[0039] The processor 300 controls various processes in the computer 400 by executing programs stored in the storage device 302. For example, each functional unit included in the control unit 10 of the support device 1 can be realized by the processor 300 executing a program stored in the storage device 302.

[0040] The storage device 302 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example. The RAM temporarily stores program codes of programs executed by the processor 300 and data required during program execution.

[0041] The storage device 302 is also a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, for example. The storage device 302 stores an operating system and various programs for realizing the above respective configurations. The storage medium storing the various programs may be a non-transitory computer readable medium. In addition, the storage device 302 can also store a table for registering various information such as business operator information and a DB for managing the table. Such programs and data are referred to by the processor 300 by being loaded into the storage device 302 as necessary.

[0042] The input I / F 304 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F 304 include a camera, a button, a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, wearable devices, and the like. The input I / F 304 may be connected to the computer 400 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), for example.

[0043] The data I / F 306 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 400. Specific examples of the data I / F 306 include a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. It is also conceivable that the data I / F 306 is provided outside the computer 400. In that case, the data I / F 306 is connected to the computer 400 via an interface such as USB.

[0044] The communication I / F 308 is a device for performing data communication via the communication network 3, either wired or wirelessly, with a device outside the computer 400. It is also conceivable that the communication I / F 308 is provided outside the computer 400. In that case, the communication I / F 308 is connected to the computer 400 via an interface such as USB.

[0045] The display device 310 is a device for displaying various information. Specific examples of the display device 310 include, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a display of a wearable device, and the like. The display device 310 may be provided outside the computer 400. In that case, the display device 310 is connected to the computer 400 via, for example, a display cable. Also, when a touch panel is adopted as the input I / F 304, the display device 310 can be configured integrally with the input I / F 304.

[0046] Also, the components included in the support device 1 described in the above embodiment are such that the program stored in the storage device 302 is executed by the processor 300, and the defined processing is realized in cooperation with other hardware. In other words, these components are assumed to be either software or firmware, or the corresponding hardware, and in both concepts, they are also described as "function", "means", "section", "processing circuit", "unit", or "module", etc., and can be read as such respectively.

[0047] <3. Operation and Display Screen of Support Device 1> Hereinafter, while explaining an example of the operation of the support device 1 with reference to FIG. 3, an example of the display screen in each step will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 - 14. The display screens include a home screen, a meal record screen, a nutritional supplement record screen, an abdominal pain record screen, a bowel movement record screen, a flatulence record screen, and a review screen, etc. The user can transition the display screen to each screen by operating the support device 1.

[0048] [Home Screen (FIG. 4)] First, the support device 1 displays the home screen (S2). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen which is the display screen in S2. The home screen includes a greeting message 20, a date 22, a timeline display area 24, a scroll bar 32, a meal record button 34, a nutritional supplement record button 36, a bowel movement record button 38, an abdominal pain record button 40, a flatulence record button 41, a home button 42, a review button 44, and other buttons 46.

[0049] The greeting message 20 is a message for the user who activated the support device 1. The date 22 is, for example, the current date when the user inputs or edits the support device 1. The user can also select another date as the target date for input or editing by pressing the date 22.

[0050] The timeline display area 24 is an area for displaying support information in the form of a timeline. The support information displayed in the timeline display area 24 includes event history information in which the time point when an event occurred is associated with information on whether the event is a meal, taking medicine, bowel movement, abdominal pain, or flatulence, and the information is sorted according to the order in which the events occurred.

[0051] The timeline display area 24 in this embodiment includes histories 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. However, the number of histories is not particularly limited and may exist before history 24a or after history 24d. History 24a is associated with "10:25", the time when the event occurred, and the information that the event is defecation. History 24b is associated with "12:25", the time when the event occurred, and the information that the event is taking a nutritional agent. History 24c is associated with "12:25", the time when the event occurred, and the information that the event is a meal of curry rice and salad. History 24d is associated with "14:50", the time when the event occurred, and the information that the event is having a bowel movement after a long time. The user may be able to check the details of the history by pressing histories 24a - 24d, and edit (update) and delete the information related to the history (not shown in the figure).

[0052] The scroll bar 32 is an element that can change the period of the event history information displayed in the timeline display area 24 by the user's operation. The user can display the history of events that occurred before "10:25" by moving (swiping or scrolling) the timeline display area 24 or the scroll bar 32, for example, upward on the screen. In addition, the user can display the history of events that occurred after "14:50" by moving the timeline display area 24 or the scroll bar 32, for example, downward on the screen. Also, the scroll bar 32 does not need to be always displayed on the home screen and can be appropriately displayed in response to the user's movement operation (swiping or scrolling) of the timeline display area 24.

[0053] The meal recording button 34, the nutritional agent recording button 36, the defecation recording button 38, the abdominal pain recording button 40, and the bowel movement after a long time recording button 41 are buttons that can transition the display screen to the event input screen corresponding to each button.

[0054] The home button 42 is a button for transitioning the display screen to the home screen. Note that when the home button 42 is pressed on the home screen, the display screen may not need to transition.

[0055] The review button 44 is a button for transitioning the display screen to the review screen. An example of the destination display screen will be described later.

[0056] The other button 46 is a button for transitioning the display screen to a screen for changing settings of the support program (including settings related to accounts and notifications or settings related to physical activity amount, etc.), displaying the terms of use related to the support program, and the legal display related to the support program, etc. The destination display screen will not be described in this embodiment.

[0057] Next, the support device 1 receives a selection regarding the function to be used from the user (S4).

[0058] [Meal recording screen (Figs. 5 - 7)] When the user presses the meal recording button 34 on the home screen (S4 meal recording), the support device 1 displays the meal recording screen (S6). The support device 1 receives an input of information regarding a meal (an example of the first event) from the user by the input receiving means 100.

[0059] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the meal recording screen. The meal recording screen includes a screen title 48, a recording date 50, a time display area 52, a recording method selection area 54, an image reading method selection area 56, a determination method selection area 58, a close button 62, and a next button 60.

[0060] The screen title 48 is an overview of the meal recording screen. The recording date 50 and the time display area 52 represent the date and time related to the meal recording, respectively. For example, by performing the recording with "December 1, 2022" displayed in the recording date 50 and "22:00" displayed in the time display area 52 as shown in Fig. 5, the recording can be made as having had a meal at "December 1, 2022 22:00".

[0061] In an example of FIG. 5, the user cannot change the date related to the meal record to another date, but may make it changeable to another date by pressing the recording date 50. Also, the user can change the hour and minute related to the meal record by pressing the triangular button in the time display area 52.

[0062] The recording method selection area 54 is an area where options for the user to select a method of recording the content of the meal are displayed. In the meal record screen of FIG. 5, the checkbox corresponding to "photo of the meal" is checked.

[0063] The image loading method selection area 56 is an area where options for the method of loading the image to be used for the meal record are displayed when the checkbox corresponding to "photo of the meal" in the recording method selection area 54 is checked.

[0064] Specifically, the user can load the image to be used for the meal record by pressing "take a photo" or "select from album" in the image loading method selection area 56. More specifically, when the user presses "take a photo", the camera provided in the support device 1 is activated, and the user can take a photo to be used for the meal record. On the other hand, when the user presses "select from album", a list of images stored in the storage unit 14 of the support device 1 is displayed, and the user can select the image to be used for the meal record from among them.

[0065] After the support device 1 reads the image to be used for the photographed or selected meal record, typically by image analysis using machine learning or the like, it analyzes the content of the meal included in the image. The image analysis may be performed by the server device 2. Specifically, the support device 1 may transmit the read image to the server device 2 and receive the analysis result related to the image from the server device 2.

[0066] The determination method selection area 58 is an area for selecting a method for determining the content of a meal based on the analysis result of an image when the checkbox corresponding to "photo of a meal" in the recording method selection area 54 is checked. After analyzing the content of the meal by image analysis, the support device 1 determines the content of the meal to be recorded based on the method selected in the determination method selection area 58.

[0067] Specifically, in the meal recording screen of FIG. 5, the checkbox corresponding to "select by myself from the candidates automatically selected by the AI" is checked for the explanatory text "do". When the Next button 60 is pressed, the support device 1 can transmit the image information to the server device 2 and receive the analysis result related to the image information from the server device 2. The analysis result includes candidates for the content of a plurality of meals and can be displayed on the display screen of the support device 1 (see FIG. 7 described later). The support device 1 determines the content of the meal selected by the user from the candidates as the object to be recorded.

[0068] On the other hand, when the checkbox corresponding to "do not" in the determination method selection area 58 is checked, the support device 1 autonomously determines, based on the analysis result of the image, the one with the highest probability as the content of the meal included in the loaded image from among the candidates for the content of a plurality of meals as the object to be recorded.

[0069] The Close button 62 is a button for transitioning the display screen to the home screen.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the meal recording screen. Specifically, FIG. 5 was a diagram showing an example of the meal recording screen when the checkbox corresponding to "photo of a meal" in the recording method selection area 54 was checked, while FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the meal recording screen when the checkbox corresponding to "keyword" in the recording method selection area 54 is checked.

[0071] On the meal record screen of FIG. 6, instead of the image reading method selection area 56 and the determination method selection area 58 on the meal record screen of FIG. 5, a keyword input box 72 and a search button 73 are displayed. The user inputs a keyword related to the content of the meal into the keyword input box 72 and presses the search button 73, so that the support device 1 can transmit the text information of the input keyword to the server device 2 and receive the analysis result related to the text information from the server device 2. The analysis result includes candidates for the content of a plurality of meals and can be displayed on the screen of the support device 1 (see FIG. 7 described later). The support device 1 determines the content of the meal selected by the user from the candidates as the recording target.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the analysis result received from the server device 2. The meal record screen of FIG. 7 includes a meal content selection area 74. In the meal content selection area 74, candidates for the content of a plurality of meals (in this embodiment, curry rice 74a, udon 74b, and hamburger 74c) are displayed. The user can select the content of the meal to be recorded from these candidates and press the confirmation button 92 to record the content of the meal. In addition, the user can press the back button 90 to transition the display screen to the display screen that was displayed before the meal record screen of FIG. 7.

[0073] In FIG. 7, three candidates for the content of the meal are displayed, but it is not limited to this, and the number of candidates to be displayed may be arbitrarily selected by the user. In addition, the support device 1 may also display a scroll bar, page switching buttons, etc. on the meal record screen and continuously display the candidates for the content of the meal without setting a specific upper limit on the number of displays according to the user's operation.

[0074] The information related to the meal input by the user is stored in the event history information DB 140 as event history information by the storage means 102 (S18).

[0075] [Nutrient Recording Screen (FIG. 8)] When the user presses the nutrient recording button 36 on the home screen (S4: Nutrient recording), the support device 1 displays a nutrient recording screen (S8). The support device 1 receives, by the input reception means 100, input of information regarding the ingestion of nutrients (an example of the first event) from the user.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a nutrient recording screen. The nutrient recording screen includes a screen title 94, a recording date 96, a time display area 98, a dosage selection area 101, a close button 105, and a confirm button 107. Among these, since the screen title 94, the recording date 96, the time display area 98, and the close button 105 conform to the screen title 48, the recording date 50, the time display area 52, and the close button 62 in the meal recording screen of FIG. 5, they will not be described below.

[0077] The dosage selection area 101 is an area for the user to select the dosage of the nutrient. The user can increase or decrease the dosage to be recorded by pressing the triangular button in the dosage selection area 101. The dosage is not particularly limited as long as it is a dosage that can be prescribed by a doctor to the user. For example, it may be displayed in terms of the calorie, weight (number of grams), or liquid volume (mL) of the nutrient. When the nutrient is in a packaged form with a certain amount of nutrient enclosed per pack, it may also be displayed in terms of the number of packs. In the case of the number of packs, for example, it can be 1 pack or more and 10 packs or less.

[0078] The confirm button 107 is a button for recording the intake of nutrients with the set date and time and dosage. The user can record information regarding the ingestion of nutrients by pressing the confirm button 107.

[0079] The information regarding the ingestion of nutrients input by the user is stored in the event history information DB 140 as event history information by the storage means 102 (S18).

[0080] [Defecation recording screen (FIG. 9)] When the user presses the defecation recording button 38 on the home screen (S4: Defecation recording), the support device 1 displays a defecation recording screen (S10). The support device 1 receives input of information regarding defecation (an example of the second event) from the user by the input receiving means 100.

[0081] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a defecation recording screen. The defecation recording screen includes a screen title 132, a recording date 134, a time display area 136, a stool shape classification 138, a stool shape selection area 140, a presence / absence of bloody stool selection area 156, a close button 158, and a confirmation button 160. Among these, the screen title 132, the recording date 134, the time display area 136, and the close button 158 follow the screen title 48, the recording date 50, the time display area 52, and the close button 62 in the meal recording screen of FIG. 5, and the confirmation button 160 follows the confirmation button 107 in the nutritional agent recording screen of FIG. 8, so they will not be described below.

[0082] The stool shape selection area 140 is an area for displaying options for the shape of the stool related to defecation recording. The shapes of the stools displayed in the stool shape selection area 140 can be, for example, options based on the Bristol stool form scale. In the defecation recording screen of FIG. 9, options for the stool shapes of "lumpy", "hard lump", "slightly hard", "normal", "soft", "mushy", and "watery" are displayed, which correspond to the "lumpy stool", "hard stool", "slightly hard stool", "normal stool", "slightly soft stool", "mushy stool", and "watery stool" of the Bristol stool form scale, respectively. Among these, "lumpy" is selected by the user. In addition, in order for the user to easily visually understand what state each stool shape is in, illustrations or images may be associated and displayed for each option. The user can record information regarding defecation by selecting the shape of the stool from the stool shape selection area 140 and pressing the confirmation button 160.

[0083] The stool shape classification 138 is an element that indicates whether the shape of the stool displayed in the stool shape selection area 140 is classified as "hard stool", "normal stool", or "soft stool". In the defecation record screen of Fig. 9, "rolling" and "hard lump" are classified as hard stools, "slightly hard", "normal", and "soft" are classified as normal stools, and "gooey" and "like water" are classified as soft stools. In the Bristol Stool Scale, hard stools indicate that the retention time of the stool in the intestine is long (i.e., constipation tendency), and soft stools indicate that the stool is too soft and has a diarrhea tendency.

[0084] The presence / absence of bloody stool selection area 156 is an area that displays options for whether the stool related to the defecation record contains bloody stool. When the user checks the checkbox corresponding to "yes" if the stool related to the defecation record contains bloody stool, and checks the checkbox corresponding to "no" if it does not contain bloody stool, and then presses the confirmation button 160, information about the bloody stool can be recorded.

[0085] The information about defecation input by the user is stored in the event history information DB 140 as event history information by the storage means 102 (S18).

[0086] [Abdominal pain record screen (Fig. 10)] When the user presses the abdominal pain record button 40 on the home screen (S4 Abdominal pain record), the support device 1 displays the abdominal pain record screen (S12). The support device 1 receives input of information about abdominal pain (an example of the second event) from the user by the input reception means 100.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an abdominal pain recording screen. The abdominal pain recording screen includes a screen title 122, a recording date 124, a time display area 126, a close button 128, and a confirm button 130. Among these, the screen title 122, the recording date 124, the time display area 126, and the close button 128 follow the screen title 48, the recording date 50, the time display area 52, and the close button 62 in the meal recording screen of FIG. 5, and the confirm button 130 follows the confirm button 107 in the nutritional agent recording screen of FIG. 8, so they will not be described below.

[0088] Information on abdominal pain input by the user is stored in the event history information DB 140 as event history information by the storage means 102 (S18).

[0089] [Constipation Recording Screen (FIG. 11)] When the user presses the constipation recording button 41 on the home screen (S4 Constipation Recording), the support device 1 displays the constipation recording screen (S14). The support device 1 receives input of information on constipation (an example of the second event) from the user by the input receiving means 100.

[0090] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a constipation recording screen. The constipation recording screen includes a screen title 162, a recording date 164, a time display area 166, an explanatory text 168, a close button 170, and a confirm button 172. Among these, the screen title 162, the recording date 164, the time display area 166, and the close button 170 follow the screen title 48, the recording date 50, the time display area 52, and the close button 62 in the meal recording screen of FIG. 5, and the confirm button 172 follows the confirm button 107 in the nutritional agent recording screen of FIG. 8, so they will not be described below.

[0091] The explanatory text 168 is an example of an explanation regarding constipation. In the constipation recording screen of FIG. 11, it is displayed as "Constipation is a state where there is a desire to defecate but no stool comes out, or only a small amount of stool comes out even when defecating." The explanatory text 168 may display explanations such as the difference between constipation and abdominal pain and the difference between constipation and diarrhea.

[0092] Information about the interval between defecations input by the user is stored in the event history information DB 140 as event history information by the storage means 102 (S18).

[0093] [Review screen (Figs. 12 - 14)] When the user presses the review button 44 on the home screen (S4 Review), the support device 1 displays the review screen (S16). The support device 1 generates support information based on the event history information by the generation means 104, and displays the support information on the review screen by the display means 106.

[0094] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the review screen. The review screen in Fig. 12 includes a screen title 174, a meal record tab 176, a physical condition record tab 178, a display target date 180, a detailed display button 182, a radar chart display area 184, a home button 192, a review button 194, and other buttons 196. Among these, since the home button 192, the review button 194, and the other buttons 196 correspond to the home button 42, the review button 44, and the other buttons 46 on the home screen in Fig. 4, they will not be described below.

[0095] The meal record tab 176 is a tab that can display information related to the record of the first event (i.e., meals and taking nutritional supplements) when pressed by the user. In the review screens of Figs. 12 - 13, the meal record tab 176 is in a pressed state.

[0096] The physical condition record tab 178 is a tab that can display information related to the record of the second event (i.e., interval between defecations, abdominal pain, and bowel movements) when pressed by the user. In the review screen of Fig. 14, the physical condition record tab 178 is in a pressed state.

[0097] The display target date 180 displays the date corresponding to the information displayed on the review screen. For example, the review screen in FIG. 12 displays information regarding the first event recorded on December 1, 2022. The user can also select another date as the display target by pressing the display target date 180. Note that the support device 1 may synchronize the display target date 180 with the date 22 on the home screen described with reference to FIG. 4. For example, when the user presses the review button 44 with the date 22 set at a specific point in time on the home screen, the support device 1 may display the review screen in FIG. 12 with the display target date 180 set at the specific point in time. Similarly, when the user presses the home button 192 when the display target date 180 is set at a specific point in time, the support device 1 may display the home screen described with reference to FIG. 4 with the date 22 set at the specific point in time.

[0098] The detailed display button 182 is a button that allows the user to display the details of the meal record by pressing it. An example of the display screen when the detailed display button 182 is pressed will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

[0099] The radar chart display area 184 is an area that displays nutritional summary information regarding the nutrients ingested by the user in the form of a radar chart. In the radar chart, information regarding the types (particularly, energy, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and salt) and amounts of nutrients ingested by the user in a unit period is displayed. In the display screen of FIG. 12, the unit period is 24 hours (i.e., one day), but it may be a period such as one week, one month, or three months, and the nutritional summary information to be displayed may be information on the total value or average value in the unit period or information on the transition of the intake amount in the unit period.

[0100] The information displayed in the radar chart display area 184 is information generated by the generation means 104 based on at least one of the meal record and the nutritional supplement intake record in the event history information. That is, the information displayed in the radar chart display area 184 is an example of support information.

[0101] In the radar chart display area 184, information on nutrients ingested by the user based on the records of meals and the taking of nutritional supplements is displayed in a radar chart. In FIG. 12, an example of displaying separately in a nutritional supplement contribution area 186 and a meal contribution area 188 is shown. The meal contribution area 188 is an area for displaying information on nutrients ingested by the user through meals. On the other hand, the nutritional supplement contribution area 186 is an area for displaying information on nutrients ingested by taking nutritional supplements separately from the nutrients ingested by meals. In this way, in the radar chart display area 184, the nutrients ingested by the user through meals and the nutrients ingested by the user through taking medications (including taking nutritional supplements) may be displayed in a distinguishable state from each other. Also, the radar chart may display the total of the nutrients ingested by meals and the taking of nutritional supplements as a single radar chart.

[0102] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the review screen. The user can change the display screen to the review screen of FIG. 13 by pressing the detailed display button 182 on the review screen of FIG. 12.

[0103] On the review screen of FIG. 13, instead of the detailed display button 182 and the radar chart display area 184 on the review screen of FIG. 12, a back button 206, a legend display area 208, a bar graph display area 210, and a scroll bar 218 are displayed.

[0104] The back button 206 is a button that, when pressed by the user, can change the display screen to the review screen of FIG. 12.

[0105] The legend display area 208 is an area for displaying the legend of the bar graph display area 210. The legend display area 208 includes a legend corresponding to the "ingested" nutrients, a legend corresponding to the "excessive" nutrients, and a legend corresponding to the "deficient" nutrients.

[0106] The bar graph display area 210 displays information obtained by comparing reference information, which is calculated based on at least a part of the user's height, weight, gender, age, disease type, and physical activity level and is a standard for the amount of nutrients that the user should consume per unit period, with intake information, which is the amount of nutrients that the user has consumed during a unit period due to a first event. Specifically, it can be read from the bar graph display area 210 that the user has consumed energy in excess of the standard, while it can be read that the intake of protein, fat, and carbohydrates is insufficient. The information obtained by comparing the reference information and the intake information in this way is also an example of support information. Also, the bar graph display area 210 may display the nutrients consumed by the user through diet and the nutrients consumed by taking medicine (including taking nutritional supplements) in separate areas in a distinguishable state from each other.

[0107] The scroll bar 218 is an element that allows the user to change the types of nutrients displayed in the bar graph display area 210 by operating it. By moving (swiping or scrolling) the bar graph display area 210 or the scroll bar 218, for example, to the lower part of the screen, it is possible to check the intake status of nutrients other than protein, fat, and carbohydrates (for example, vitamins and minerals, etc.). Also, the scroll bar 218 does not need to be always displayed on the review screen and can be displayed as appropriate in response to a movement operation (swiping or scrolling) of the bar graph display area 210 by the user.

[0108] FIG. 14 is another example of the review screen. The user can transition the display screen to the review screen of FIG. 14 by pressing the physical condition recording tab 178 on the review screen of FIGS. 12 - 13.

[0109] On the review screen of FIG. 14, instead of the display target date 180, the detailed display button 182, and the radar chart display area 184 on the review screen of FIG. 12, a display target week 234, a graph display area 236, and a legend display area 238 are displayed.

[0110] The display target week 234 displays the week corresponding to the information displayed on the retrospective screen of FIG. 14. For example, the retrospective screen of FIG. 14 displays information regarding the second event recorded in the week of November 21, 2022 (i.e., from November 21 to 27, 2022). Also, by pressing the display target week 234, the user can display information regarding the second event recorded in a different week. In this case, different dates can be selectably displayed, such as by displaying a calendar, and by the user selecting an arbitrary date, the user can display information regarding the second event recorded in the week to which the selected date belongs (not shown).

[0111] Also, in the calendar displayed when the display target week 234 is pressed, the support device 1 may change the display mode of at least some dates based on the operation history regarding various records of the user (for example, meal records and physical condition records, etc.). The support device 1 may, for example, display the dates on which the user has input various records and the dates on which the user has not input various records in a distinguishable manner. Additionally, the support device 1 may display the dates and areas separated by a plurality of colors with different color tones according to the presence or absence and type of various records. Additionally, the support device 1 may display a specific mark (for example, a mark indicating that a meal record has been made, a mark indicating that a physical condition record has been made, etc.) or an icon associated with the date according to the presence or absence and type of various records. In this way, the support device 1 may display the presence or absence of various records for each of the plurality of dates in a recognizable manner on the calendar.

[0112] The graph display area 236 displays information regarding the number of times for each unit period of the second event. Specifically, the graph display area 236 displays the number of times of hard stools, the number of times of normal stools, and the number of times of soft stools in the form of a stacked bar graph, and displays the number of times of bloody stools, constipation, and abdominal pain in a line graph. In these graphs, the number of occurrences of bloody stools, the number of occurrences of constipation, and the number of occurrences of abdominal pain are displayed by the display means 106 in a distinguishable state from each other. Such a graph is also an example of support information. Also, in the retrospective screen of FIG. 14, the unit period is one week, but it may be a period such as one month or three months.

[0113] The legend display area 238 is an area for displaying the legend of the graph display area 236. Specifically, the legend display area 238 displays legends corresponding to hard stools, normal stools, soft stools, bloody stools, abdominal pain, and constipation respectively.

[0114] In addition, a check box for determining whether to display an object in the graph display area 236 is associated with each legend. On the review screen of FIG. 14, since the check boxes corresponding to hard stools, normal stools, soft stools, bloody stools, and constipation are checked, this information is displayed in the graph display area 236. On the other hand, since the check box corresponding to abdominal pain is not checked, the information regarding abdominal pain is not displayed in the graph display area 236. The check boxes corresponding to hard stools, normal stools, and soft stools may be provided individually, or a single check box for defecation may be provided in total. That is, the support device 1 may receive a selection for displaying information regarding at least a part of constipation, abdominal pain, defecation (including cases where hard stools, normal stools, and soft stools can be selected individually), and bloody stools by the selection receiving means 108.

[0115] <4. Effects of the support device 1> According to the support device 1, treatment can be supported by recording and displaying information on the diet record and physical condition record of a patient with inflammatory bowel disease.

[0116] In treating inflammatory bowel disease, it is important to observe the nutrients ingested by the patient and the physical condition of the patient (including the states of defecation, abdominal pain, and constipation). For example, by observing how the physical condition changes when the patient eats a certain diet, it is possible to infer the food items to be avoided by the patient and the food items to be actively ingested.

[0117] The support device 1 accepts input of information regarding events including a first event (including intake of meals and nutritional agents) and a second event (including defecation, abdominal pain, and occurrence of abdominal distension) from a user who is a patient (see FIGS. 5-11), and displays a review screen (see FIGS. 12-14). Thereby, for example, a doctor who diagnoses or treats the user can check the review screen and determine, decide, or change the diagnosis or treatment policy for the user. Additionally, for example, by the user himself / herself checking the review screen, the user can objectively view his / her nutritional intake status and the occurrence status of symptoms, and obtain an opportunity to review his / her life.

[0118] Moreover, according to the support device 1, it is possible to display information particularly important for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, which is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, and support the treatment of the user.

[0119] In the treatment of ulcerative colitis, information regarding the occurrence of abdominal distension is particularly important. This is because an increase in the number of occurrences of abdominal distension is considered a sign of deterioration of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. That is, a doctor or a patient can know the signs of ulcerative colitis by recording and objectively viewing the number of occurrences of abdominal distension.

[0120] The support device 1 can accept input of information regarding the occurrence of abdominal distension (see FIG. 11) and display the change in the number of occurrences thereof (see FIG. 14). For example, when a doctor observes an increase in the number of occurrences of abdominal distension, the doctor can judge that the symptoms of the user's ulcerative colitis may deteriorate in the future, and utilize it as support information when changing the type and amount of medicine prescribed to the user.

[0121] The support device 1 more effectively supports the treatment of the user by paying attention not only to the state of feces but also to the occurrence of abdominal distension, which is an index representing the degree of inflammation in the intestine.

[0122] Moreover, according to the support device 1, it is possible to display whether the user is ingesting necessary and sufficient nutrients and support the treatment of the user.

[0123] In the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, it is important for patients to consume necessary and sufficient nutrients. Depending on the type of the disease, for example, patients may be desirable to avoid consuming foods that contain a large amount of nutrients that are likely to burden the digestive system, such as lipids. In addition, depending on the type of the disease, for example, foods rich in dietary fiber have the effect of regulating the intestinal environment, so patients may be desirable to actively consume them.

[0124] The support device 1 displays a review screen regarding the nutrients ingested by the user in the form of a radar chart (see Fig. 12) and a bar graph (see Fig. 13). Thereby, for example, a doctor who has confirmed the review screen can utilize it as a support tool when giving advice to the user regarding the items and intake amounts of foods and nutrients. Also, the user who has confirmed the review screen can objectively view their own nutrient intake status and utilize it for improving their life, or can utilize it as a consultation support tool for seeking advice from a doctor during a consultation.

[0125] In particular, on the review screen of Fig. 12, by the display of the nutrient supplement contribution area 186 and the diet contribution area 188, the breakdown of the nutrients ingested by diet and the nutrients ingested by nutrient supplements can be grasped. Thereby, a doctor who has confirmed the review screen of Fig. 12 can, for example, know that the user's intake of nutrients by nutrient supplements is excessive, and can give advice to the user that they should reduce the intake of specific nutrients by diet, or should intake a larger amount or more types of nutrients. Also, the user who has confirmed the review screen can objectively view their own nutrient intake status and utilize it for improving their life, or can utilize it as a consultation support tool for seeking advice regarding their own nutrient intake status during a consultation with a doctor.

[0126] Although the intake of nutrient supplements is important in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, the support device 1 supports the treatment of the user more effectively by displaying not only the intake status of nutrients by diet but also the intake status of nutrients by nutrient supplements.

[0127] Also, on the review screen of FIG. 13, the bar graph display area 210 enables the user to grasp whether the amount of nutrients that should be ingested based on the user's height, weight, gender, age, disease type, physical activity level, etc. is actually being ingested. As a result, a doctor or user who checks the review screen of FIG. 13 can know, for example, that the lipid intake is high compared to the standard and the amount of dietary fiber is low compared to the standard. The amount of nutrients that should be ingested is not particularly limited as long as it is appropriately calculated based on the above items, but as an example, it can be preset with reference to the "Dietary Intake Standards for Japanese" issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, etc.

[0128] In addition, the support device 1 can also display the amount of nutrients that should be ingested based on the settings at the timing of actual recording, rather than at the timing of displaying the review screen. Thereby, even if the user's height, weight, gender, age, disease type, physical activity level, etc. change between the time of recording and the time of displaying the review screen (that is, even if the amount of nutrients that should be ingested changes), the amount of nutrients ingested at that time with respect to the standard at the time of recording can be displayed. For example, when the support device 1 displays the review screen related to the recording at the first time point at the second time point after the first time point, regardless of the user's height, etc. at the second time point, the amount of nutrients that should be ingested set based on the user's height, etc. at the first time point and the amount of nutrients actually ingested by the user at the first time point may be displayed.

[0129] Note that the physical activity level can typically be selected by the user from a plurality of levels (for example, level 1, level 2, and level 3). The amount of nutrients that the user should ingest may be set to be large when the physical activity level is relatively high (for example, level 3) and small when the physical activity level is relatively low (for example, level 1). Thereby, the user can grasp the amount of nutrients that should be ingested according to their own physical activity level.

[0130] Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a weakened digestive ability and may need to consume more nutrients compared to healthy individuals. On the other hand, nutrients that impose a burden on the digestive system, such as lipids and proteins, may need to be consumed in moderation compared to healthy individuals. The support device 1 more effectively supports the treatment of the user by indicating whether the user is consuming sufficient necessary nutrients.

[0131] <5. Embodiments of the Invention> Based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, the above embodiments can be combined, modified, and deleted with respect to technical matters without causing contradictions. The description of the above embodiments is merely an example and does not limit the content of the present invention.

[0132] The support device 1 in the above embodiments may be composed of a combination of multiple devices. Additionally, for example, the support device 1 may be a part of another device. Similarly, the support program executed by the support device 1 may be composed of a combination of multiple programs, and each of the multiple programs may be stored in different devices. Additionally, the support program executed by the support device 1 may also have functions other than those described in the above embodiments.

[0133] The support device 1 may have a function of displaying a notification screen. Typically, information regarding updates of the support program, occurrence of malfunctions, etc. is displayed on the notification screen. The notification screen may be either a notification list screen that displays an overview of multiple notifications in a list format or a notification detail screen that displays details of a notification selected by the user from multiple notifications. On the notification screen, the support device 1 may further display a button for transitioning to the notification screen on the home screen described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0134] In addition, the support device 1 may have a function of displaying push notifications. Further, the support device 1 may display a screen corresponding to the push notification in response to a user's press on the push notification displayed on the screen. Note that the push notification may be either a remote push notification performed by receiving an instruction to perform a push notification from the server device 2 or a local push notification performed without requiring communication with the server device 2.

[0135] The push notification may be, for example, a notification (i.e., a reminder) prompting the user to input a record when at least one of a meal record, a medication record, and a physical condition record is missing by a predetermined time every day. In this case, the support device 1 may display a meal record screen or a physical condition record screen in response to the user's press on the reminder push notification. Thereby, the support device 1 can efficiently support continuous recording by the user.

[0136] The support device 1 may accept an operation from the user regarding activation or deactivation of the reminder. Also, when a reminder regarding the medication record is set to be effective, the user can set the name and usage volume of the medication to be taken in association with the reminder.

[0137] Alternatively, the push notification may be a notification indicating that a new notice has been added. In this case, the support device 1 may display a notice details screen regarding the added notice in response to the user's press on the push notification indicating that a new notice has been added.

[0138] Further, the support device 1 may have a function of displaying a medication instruction sheet and information regarding inflammatory bowel disease. On the home screen described with reference to FIG. 4, the support device 1 may further display a button for transitioning to a screen that displays a medication instruction sheet or information regarding inflammatory bowel disease. In response to the user pressing the button, the support device 1 may, for example, launch browser software installed in the device itself and display a web page on which a medication instruction sheet or information regarding inflammatory bowel disease is described.

[0139] The display screens described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 14 are merely examples, and the design, display items, explanatory text, types of graphs, screen transitions, etc. may be changed. For example, the items of nutrients displayed in the radar chart display area 184 and the bar graph display area 210 may be other than "energy", "salt", "protein", "dietary fiber", "carbohydrates", and "lipids", such as "vitamins", "iron", "calcium", "zinc", and "potassium". Further, when displaying the intake status of vitamins in the radar chart display area 184 or the bar graph display area 210, examples of the types of vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and biotin. All of these may be displayed, only some of these may be displayed, and different vitamins may be displayed without being limited thereto. Further, when displaying the intake status of minerals, examples of the types of minerals include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, chromium, and molybdenum. All of these may be displayed, only some of these may be displayed, and different minerals may be displayed without being limited thereto.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, the support device 1 including the input reception means 100 has been described. However, the support device 1 may not include the input reception means 100. The support device 1 may receive event history information from another device (for example, the server device 2) and display support information generated based on this.

[0141] In the above-described embodiment, the server device 2 has been described as transmitting an installer to the support device 1. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the server device 2 may operate a support program on the support device 1 by transmitting response information (for example, an HTTP response) in response to request information (for example, an HTTP request) from the support device 1.

[0142] The storage means 102 storing information includes the support device 1 making the information available. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the storage means 102 has been described as storing event history information in the event history information DB140 of the storage unit 14. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the storage means 102 may transmit event history information to the server device 2 and have the storage unit provided in the server device 2 store the event history information.

[0143] The display means 106 displaying information includes the user being able to visually recognize the information. Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the display means 106 has been described as displaying support information on the display device 310 of the support device 1. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the display means 106 may enable a device other than the support device 1 to display support information.

[0144] In the above-described embodiment, the home screen has been described as including the greeting message 20, the date 22, the timeline display area 24, the scroll bar 32, the meal record button 34, the nutrient record button 36, the bowel movement record button 38, the abdominal pain record button 40, the bloating record button 41, the home button 42, the review button 44, and the other button 46, but it is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to or instead of these, a medication record button or a growth record button may be included. The medication record button may be a button for transitioning to a screen for recording information regarding the taking of pharmaceuticals other than nutrients prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and taken by the user. Further, the growth record button may be a button for transitioning to a screen for confirming whether a user, if the user is a child, is growing along a general growth curve by recording his or her age, height, weight, etc. In the said screen, a graph showing the growth curve of the user may be displayed, and the growth curve of the user and the general growth curve may be displayed in a comparable manner. Note that the support device 1 may have a function of determining whether the user is a child based on registration information of application software or the like.

[0145] In this case, the support device 1 may display the input growth record, for example, as an aspect of the review screen. The support device 1 may, for example, display a list of growth records recorded for the entire period or an arbitrary period selected by the user in tabular form or in graph form as an aspect of the review screen. Inflammatory bowel disease may reduce the efficiency of nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is particularly important to observe whether a patient, especially if the patient is a child, is able to absorb nutrients sufficiently. According to this configuration, since the growth records of the user can be displayed as a list, a doctor can determine whether the user is able to absorb nutrients sufficiently.

[0146] In addition, the support device 1 may display a physical record button, for example, on the home screen regardless of whether the user is a child. The physical record button is a button that transitions to a screen for recording physical records (e.g., height, weight, body temperature, physical activity level, etc.). When the user is a child, it may be the same as the growth record button. Also, the physical record button may be a button that transitions to a screen where all information related to physical records can be input on one screen, or may separately provide buttons that transition to individual input screens for each type of physical record. For example, the support device 1 may display a screen on which three items, namely height, weight, and body temperature, can be input in response to the user pressing the physical record button. Further, the support device 1 may display a screen on which height can be input in response to the user pressing the height record button, and may also display a screen on which weight can be input in response to the user pressing the weight record button. The support device 1 can acquire information related to the height and the like input by the user. In addition, the support device 1 can acquire information related to height and the like by communicating with other devices that collect data related to the body (e.g., smartwatches, IoT devices, weighing scales equipped with communication functions, etc.).

[0147] In the above embodiment, the meal record button 34, the nutritional supplement record button 36, the bowel movement record button 38, the abdominal pain record button 40, and the bloating record button 41 have been described as buttons that can transition the display screen to the event input screen corresponding to each button, but it is not limited to this. For example, an event input modal corresponding to each button may be overlaid and displayed on the home screen.

[0148] In the above embodiment, it has been described that by pressing the triangular button in the time display areas 52, 98, 126, 136, or 166 or the dosage setting area 101, the time or dosage related to each corresponding record can be changed, but it is not limited to this. For example, the content may be selectable by scrolling the numerical values displayed in a drum roll format up and down in each area.

[0149] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the image analysis of the image used for photographing or selecting the meal record and the search related to the text information input with keywords are performed by the server device 2, but it is not limited to this. For example, the image or text information may be transmitted to a meal / nutrient database or an I / F in the form of a Web API (Application Programming Interface) that can be connected via the communication network 3, and the support device 1 may receive the result analyzed by the database or the I / F. Examples of such a meal / nutrient database or I / F include, for example, the Calomil (registered trademark) API.

[0150] In the above-described embodiment, in an example of the screens shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, it has been described that the selection of the corresponding item or the function is indicated by whether or not there is a check in the check box, but it is not limited to this. For example, the selection may be indicated by the presence or absence of tapping on an icon image representing the item or the function, or a radio button may be displayed instead of the check box, and the selection may be indicated by the presence or absence of selection of the radio button.

[0151] In the above-described embodiment, for example, in FIG. 7, it has been described that the user inputs the record of a meal of a predetermined unit amount. In contrast, the support device 1 may accept the input of information regarding the difference or ratio between the predetermined unit amount and the amount of the meal actually consumed by the user. The support device 1 may display buttons for the user to select, for example, whether the amount of the meal actually consumed by the user is at a ratio of 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 200%, 250%, 300%, etc. with respect to the predetermined unit amount. In contrast, the user may be able to select the meal menu and the ratio. For example, when the user eats curry rice for two people, the user selects the "curry rice" menu and presses the button for the ratio of "200%". This enables a more accurate recording of the amount of nutrients according to the user's meal amount. Note that the predetermined unit amount may be, for example, one person's portion, the total amount, 100 g, etc.

[0152] In the above-described embodiment, the support device 1 has been described as accepting inputs of records related to abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and bowel movements as records related to the second event. The support device 1 may further accept inputs of other records as records related to the second event. For example, the support device 1 may accept an input of a record related to an urgent need to defecate. For example, on the bowel movement record screen described with reference to FIG. 9, the support device 1 may display an input field for recording the presence or degree of an urgent need to defecate. Additionally, on the home screen described with reference to FIG. 4, the support device 1 may display a button for recording an urgent need to defecate alongside the bowel movement record button 38, the abdominal pain record button 40, and the abdominal distension record button 41. The support device 1 may display a screen for recording the presence or degree of an urgent need to defecate in response to the user pressing the button for recording an urgent need to defecate. Note that an urgent need to defecate refers to a symptom of feeling a pressing urge to defecate, including cases where one feels the urge to defecate and can defecate in the toilet, and cases where one feels the urge to defecate but cannot make it to the toilet in time and the feces leak out.

[0153] <6. Other functions of the support device 1> In addition to the functions described in the above embodiment, the support device 1 may have functions such as the following, for example.

[0154] - Function to export recorded information - The support device 1 may have a function to export the recorded information. Specifically, the support device 1 may have a function to output the information recorded by the user on screens for recording diet records, nutritional supplement records, abdominal pain records, bowel movement records, abdominal distension records, and body records (height, weight, body temperature, etc.), or information processed from this, as, for example, text files, CSV files, and PDF files. An example of information processed from the information recorded by the user is a graph as shown in FIGS. 12 - 14. Also, the support device 1 may be able to transmit the recorded information to other devices such as its own terminal device via email.

[0155] The support device 1 may have a function of outputting information for accessing the recorded information, for example, as an image code such as a QR code (registered trademark), or a URL or the like. For example, a doctor can check a graph as shown in FIGS. 12-14 on his / her own terminal device by reading the QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the support device 1 with his / her own terminal device. Further, the support device 1 may be able to transmit information for accessing the recorded information to another device such as its own terminal device by e-mail. In this case, the user may set a password for accessing the recorded information, and in this case, the support device 1 may be able to transmit the password to another device.

[0156] - Function of displaying the location of the toilet on a map - The support device 1 may have a function of displaying on a map showing the locations of toilet facilities in a predetermined area. The support device 1 may acquire position information by means of the GPS provided in the device itself, and display on the map the locations of toilet facilities near the device itself, or may display on the map the locations of toilet facilities near the position specified by the user. Further, the support device 1 may display on the map the usage status or congestion status of the toilet facilities together with or independently of the position information. As such a function, for example, a known program or the like described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-95924, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-841126, or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-326414 may be referred to and incorporated into the device itself.

[0157] - Function of changing the date by a swipe operation - In the above embodiment, it has been described that the user can also select another date as the date to be input or edited by pressing the date 22 on the home screen of FIG. 4. The support device 1 may also, for example, accept a left-right swipe operation from the user on the home screen, and change the date to be displayed according to the swipe operation. For example, in response to a rightward swipe operation from the user, the support device 1 may display the record of the previous day.

[0158] - Function of displaying explanatory text - The support device 1 may further display an explanatory text of the display content on the review screen of FIGS. 12 to 14. The explanatory text may be displayed on the same screen, may be displayed on a separate screen by transitioning based on a tap operation or the like at an arbitrary position, or may be displayed so that a modal overlaps the review screen. For example, on the review screen of FIG. 13, the support device 1 may further display an explanatory text regarding the legend of the bar graph display area 210.

[0159] - Function to record a memo - The support device 1 may, for example, have a function of accepting input of a memo regarding the date of a hospital visit, a medical institution, and matters for consultation at the time of the hospital visit. The input memo is, for example, displayed in a list on the home screen of FIG. 4.

[0160] - Function to display the transition of nutrient intake - In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the support device 1 displays the number of hard stools, the number of normal stools, and the number of soft stools in the form of a stacked bar graph and displays the number of bloody stools, constipation, and abdominal pain in a line graph on the review screen of FIG. 14. In this regard, the support device 1 may display the transition of nutrient intake in the form of a graph based on the information input by the user on the diet record screen of FIG. 7 and the nutrient agent record screen of FIG. 8. The support device 1 may, for example, display a bar graph showing the amount of protein ingested by the user on each day of the most recent week and a line graph showing the amount of calories ingested by the user on each day of the most recent week.

[0161] - Function to manually set the amount of reference nutrients - In the above embodiment, the amount of reference nutrients to be ingested by the user was described as being mainly determined based on the user's own height, weight, gender, age, type of disease, and physical activity level, etc., but it is not limited to this. The support device 1 may accept input of the amount of reference nutrients to be ingested by the user and use it for comparison with the amount of nutrients actually ingested by the user. The amount of reference nutrients to be ingested by the user is input, for example, by a doctor or the user himself / herself.

[0162] - Function to display the taking status of nutritional supplements - The support device 1 may further display the taking status of nutritional supplements on the review screen shown in FIGS. 12-13. The taking status of nutritional supplements is, for example, the date and time and amount that the user has taken nutritional supplements in the past, and whether the user has taken nutritional supplements on the current day. Such taking status may be displayed in a list format, or may be displayed in a graph or the like independent of the bar graph display area 210 and the radar chart display area 184.

[0163] - Function to set an email address - The support device 1 may be provided with a function to set the user's email address and a function to change the set email address. The support device 1 may send various notifications such as reminders for meal records and bowel movement records to the set email address. The support device 1 may also send a report summarizing the information displayed on the review screen to the set email address.

[0164] - Function to display information content - The support device 1 may display information content including, for example, information regarding the taking of nutritional supplements or therapeutic drugs for inflammatory bowel disease and information regarding inflammatory bowel disease. The support device 1 may display the information content on an individual page that can be transitioned to from the home screen shown in FIG. 4, or may display the information content or a link to access the information content on the home screen shown in FIG. 4.

[0165] - Function to display the review screen in an enlarged or reduced manner - The support device 1 may enlarge or reduce and display the graph displayed on the review screen shown in FIGS. 12-14 according to the user's operation. The support device 1 may, for example, enlarge the graph display area 236 of the review screen shown in FIG. 14 based on the user's pinch-out operation. Similarly, the support device 1 may, for example, reduce the graph display area 236 of the review screen shown in FIG. 14 based on the user's pinch-in operation.

[0166] - Function to display the recording of body temperature - When the support device 1 records temperature information on the screen for recording body records, it may display them in a list on the review screen or the like. The display mode in the list may be in a list format or a graph format. Also, the period to be displayed in the list may be set to be changeable as appropriate according to the user's operation. For example, only an arbitrary period such as one week may be displayed in the list. Further, only the recording of body temperature may be independently displayed in a list, or it may be displayed in a list as processed information combined with other information recorded in the support device 1 (for example, information recorded on a meal recording screen, a nutritional supplement recording screen, a stomachache recording screen, a bowel movement recording screen, a bloating recording screen, and a screen for recording body records (height, weight, body temperature, etc.)).

[0167] Embodiments according to the present invention include the following aspects.

[0168] [Appendix 1] A support program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as storage means 102 for storing event history information regarding an event history including at least a first event related to the intake of nutrition by at least one of the user's diet and medication, and at least a second event related to at least the user's bloating, and display means 106 for displaying support information for assisting in the diagnosis of the user, wherein the support information is generated based on the event history information.

[0169] [Appendix 2] The support program of Appendix 1 may cause a computer to further function as input reception means 100 for receiving input of information regarding an event from the user.

[0170] [Appendix 3] In Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, the second event may further include those related to the user's stomachache and bowel movement.

[0171] [Appendix 4] In Supplementary Note 3, the event history information may include information in which the time when the event occurred is associated with information regarding whether the event is any of a meal, taking medicine, defecation, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension after a long interval.

[0172] [Supplementary Note 5] In Supplementary Note 4, the support information may include information in which the event history information is arranged according to the order in which the events occurred.

[0173] [Supplementary Note 6] In Supplementary Note 3, the support information may include information regarding the number of times per unit period in the second event.

[0174] [Supplementary Note 7] In Supplementary Note 6, the information regarding the number of times per unit period in the second event may be displayed by the display means 106 in a state where the number of occurrences of abdominal distension after a long interval, the number of occurrences of defecation, and the number of occurrences of abdominal pain are distinguishable from each other.

[0175] [Supplementary Note 8] The support program of Supplementary Note 7 may cause the computer to further function as selection reception means 108 that receives a selection for displaying information regarding at least a part of abdominal distension after a long interval, abdominal pain, and defecation.

[0176] [Supplementary Note 9] In any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, the support information may include information regarding the types and amounts of nutrients ingested by the user in a unit period.

[0177] [Supplementary Note 10] In Supplementary Note 9, the information regarding the types and amounts of nutrients may be displayed by the display means 106 in a state where the nutrients ingested by the user through meals and the nutrients ingested by the user through taking medicine are distinguishable from each other.

[0178] [Supplementary Note 11] The support program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10 causes a computer to function as a comparison means 110 that compares reference information, which is calculated based on at least a part of the user's height, weight, gender, age, disease type, and physical activity level and is a standard for the amount of nutrition that the user should ingest per unit period, with ingestion information, which is the amount of nutrition that the user ingested during a unit period due to a first event, and the support information may include information regarding the result of the comparison by the comparison means 110.

[0179] [Supplementary Note 12] The support program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11 may be a program that supports remission induction and maintenance of remission status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

[0180] [Supplementary Note 13] The recording medium according to another aspect of the present invention stores the support program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12.

[0181] [Supplementary Note 14] The support device 1 according to another aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores event history information regarding an event history including a first event related to the ingestion of nutrition by at least one of the user's diet and medication and a second event related to at least the user's abdominal distension, and a display unit that displays support information for assisting in the diagnosis of the user, where the support information is generated based on the event history information.

[0182] [Supplementary Note 15] The support method according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute a step of storing event history information regarding an event history including a first event related to the ingestion of nutrition by at least one of the user's diet and medication and a second event related to at least the user's abdominal distension, and a step of displaying support information for assisting in the diagnosis of the user, where the support information is generated based on the event history information.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0183] 1... Support device, 2... Server device, 10... Control unit, 14... Memory unit, 100... Input reception means, 102... Memory means, 104... Generation means, 106... Display means, 108... Selection reception means, 110... Comparison means

Claims

1. A computer, a storage means for storing event history information regarding an event history including a first event related to the intake of nutrition by a user's diet and taking of at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of enteral nutrition and component nutrition prescribed for a patient with inflammatory bowel disease, and a second event related to at least the user's abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and bowel movement; an input receiving means for receiving input of information regarding the event from the user, and when receiving input of information regarding the second event, the input receiving means for receiving input by distinguishing which of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and bowel movement the second event is; a display means for displaying support information for assisting in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease for the user, wherein the support information is generated based on the event history information, includes first support information that discriminately shows the type and / or intake amount of nutrition by each of the diet and taking of the nutrient during a predetermined period, and second support information that discriminately shows the occurrence of each of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and bowel movement during the predetermined period, and a display means capable of switching and displaying the first support information and the second support information according to the user's operation; a support program that functions as.

2. The support program according to claim 1, wherein the event history information includes information in which the time when the event occurred is associated with information regarding which of diet, taking of the nutrient, bowel movement, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension the event is.

3. The support program according to claim 2, wherein the support information includes information obtained by arranging the event history information in the order in which the events occurred.

4. The computer is further caused to function as a selection receiving means for receiving a selection for displaying information regarding at least a part of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and bowel movement, the support program according to claim 1.

5. The computer is further caused to function as a comparison means for comparing reference information calculated based on at least a part of the user's height, weight, gender, age, disease type, and physical activity level and serving as a standard for the amount of nutrition that the user should intake per unit period, and intake information that is the amount of nutrition that the user has intaken during a unit period by the first event, The support program according to claim 1, wherein the support information includes information regarding the result of the comparison by the comparison means.

6. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which supports remission induction and maintenance of remission state in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

7. A recording medium on which the support program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is recorded.

8. A storage unit that stores event history information regarding an event history including a first event related to intake of nutrition by the user's diet and intake of at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of enteral nutrition and component nutrition prescribed for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and a second event related to at least the user's abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and defecation; An input reception unit that receives input of information regarding the event from the user, and when receiving input of information regarding the second event, discriminates whether the second event is abdominal distension, abdominal pain, or defecation and receives the input; A display unit that displays support information for assisting in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease for the user, wherein the support information is generated based on the event history information, includes first support information that discriminately shows the type and / or intake amount of nutrition by each of the diet and the intake of the nutrient during a predetermined period, and second support information that discriminately shows the occurrence of each of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and defecation during the predetermined period, and is a display unit capable of switching and displaying the first support information and the second support information according to a user operation. A support device comprising the above.

9. On a computer, a step of storing event history information regarding an event history including a first event related to intake of nutrition by the user's diet and intake of at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of enteral nutrition and component nutrition prescribed for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and a second event related to at least the user's abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and defecation; a step of receiving input of information regarding the event from the user, and when receiving input of information regarding the second event, discriminates whether the second event is abdominal distension, abdominal pain, or defecation and receives the input; a step of displaying support information for assisting in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease for the user, wherein the support information is generated based on the event history information, First support information that discriminately shows the types and / or intake amounts of nutrients by each of the diet during a predetermined period and the ingestion of the nutrient agent, second support information that discriminately shows the occurrence of each of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and defecation during the predetermined period, and a step of switching and displaying the first support information and the second support information according to a user operation, A support method for causing the above to be executed.

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