Method for evaluating premenstrual syndrome

Abstract

The present invention focuses on a correlation between skin gas and premenstrual syndrome, and provides a method for determining premenstrual syndrome on the basis of skin gas. Provided are a method, a premenstrual syndrome evaluating device, and a premenstrual syndrome evaluation system that identify premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases correlated with the presence or absence of premenstrual syndrome and / or the severity thereof, and that evaluate premenstrual syndrome on the basis of the quantity of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas.

Description

How to assess premenstrual syndrome

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assessing premenstrual syndrome based on the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases.

[0002] Volatile substances emitted from the human body surface are called skin gases, also known as skin volatile emissions. Skin gases contribute to body odor. However, sampling and quantifying skin gases have been difficult. However, recent advances in analytical technology have led to attempts to qualitatively analyze skin gas components. As a result, it has been discovered that skin gases contain over 600 compounds. Skin gases are composed of compounds such as aldehydes, acids, ketones, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and esters, with acetic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, geranylacetone, 6-methylhepten-2-one, nonanal, and decanal being known as major compounds. Skin gases can be classified by their emission pathway, broadly divided into those derived from surface reactions, skin glands (sweat glands, sebaceous glands), and blood. Surface-derived skin gas refers to skin gas that is produced when components secreted from skin glands are converted into volatile compounds and then dissipated on the skin surface by the action of skin resident bacteria, oxygen, ultraviolet rays, and the like. Skin gland-derived skin gas is skin gas emitted from sweat glands and sebaceous glands, and is known to increase due to sweating and sebaceous gland secretion. Blood-derived skin gas is a pathway in which components in the blood produced by metabolism and in vivo reactions volatilize and dissipate directly from the skin, and volatile components carried by blood are mainly dissipated via this pathway. Furthermore, since sweat is composed of plasma, volatile components in blood can also be dissipated from skin glands. Thus, skin gas can be classified into exogenous components based on skin surface reactions and endogenous components originating from the interior of the body. Endogenous components are caused by congenital genetics and chronological aging, and can be used as indicators of these, while exogenous components are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, including ultraviolet light exposure, and can be used as indicators of these. By examining skin gases, it is expected that health monitoring and medical applications will be possible.Specifically, methods that have been developed include a method for estimating diabetes index values ​​using acetone (Patent Document 1: JP 2020-016448 A), a method for evaluating atopic dermatitis using the amount of acetone (Patent Document 2: JP 2019-219256 A), a method for determining fatigue levels based on the amount of nitrogen gas (Patent Document 3: JP 2019-78585 A), a method for predicting blood glucose levels based on skin gases (Patent Document 4: JP 2017-151063 A), a method for evaluating cancer based on skin gas patterns (Patent Document 5: JP 2021-148517 A), and a method for diagnosing Parkinson's disease based on components selected from medium- to long-chain acylcarnitines and secondary bile acids (Patent Document 6: JP 2017-138141 A).

[0003] Endogenous skin gases are further classified into components derived from metabolism in the body, components derived from ingested substances, and components derived from intestinal bacteria. Metabolic components include ammonia, amines, and acetone. Ingested components include ethanol and acetaldehyde resulting from alcohol consumption, cuminaldehyde resulting from eating curry, diallyl disulfide and allyl methyl sulfide resulting from eating garlic, and nicotine, methylfuran, and 2,5-methylfuran resulting from smoking. Intestinal bacteria-derived components include hydrogen, methane, ethane, and ethylene (Non-Patent Document 1: Journal of the Society on Odor and Fragrance Environment, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 410-417).

[0004] JP 2020-016448 A JP 2019-219256 A JP 2019-78585 A JP 2017-151063 A JP 2021-148517 A JP 2017-138141 A

[0005] Journal of the Society for Odor and Fragrance Environment, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 410-417 Moos, RH: The Development of a Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Psychosomatic Medicine 30: 853-869, 1968 Akiyama, A., Kayashima, E.: The effects of the menstrual cycle on the mind and body as seen in the MDT (Mirror Drawing Test). Journal of the Four Universities Nursing Research Association 2 (2): 61-66, 1979 Odagawa, H., Shirato, N., et al.: A study of menstrual symptoms in adolescent girls using MDQ scores. Showa Medical Association Journal 68 (3): 151-161, 2008

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a method for determining premenstrual syndrome based on objective indicators.

[0007] The present inventors focused on the relationship between intestinal barrier function and premenstrual syndrome and conducted extensive research into indicators that can easily determine intestinal barrier function in order to use them as objective indicators for determining premenstrual syndrome. Surprisingly, they found that certain skin gases are associated with intestinal barrier function. Based on this finding and the relationship between intestinal barrier function and premenstrual syndrome, the present invention was completed. Specifically, a method for determining premenstrual syndrome based on the amount of skin gas associated with premenstrual syndrome is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to the following: [1] A method for assessing premenstrual syndrome, comprising: analyzing collected skin gases to detect premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases; and assessing premenstrual syndrome from the amount of at least one of the detected skin gases using a predetermined correspondence relationship between the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome. [2] The method according to item 1, wherein the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is selected from the group consisting of decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal. [3] The method according to Item 2, wherein the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas serves as an index of intestinal barrier function. [4] The method according to Item 1, wherein the correspondence relationship is a correspondence table showing the relationship between the range of amounts of the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome, or the relationship between threshold amounts of the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome. [5] A premenstrual syndrome evaluation device comprising: an input unit into which analysis result data from a skin gas analyzer is input; a memory unit for storing correspondence relationships between the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome; a processing unit for determining the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome based on the input analysis result data and the correspondence relationships stored in the memory unit; and an output unit for outputting the determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome. [6] The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to Item 5, wherein the type of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is selected from the group consisting of decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal.[7] The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to Item 5, wherein the lifestyle improvement suggestion is provided in accordance with the premenstrual syndrome, based on the determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome in the subject, wherein: the memory unit further stores a correspondence relationship between the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome in the subject and lifestyle improvements in accordance with the premenstrual syndrome; the processing unit determines the lifestyle improvement suggestion in accordance with the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, based on the determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome in the subject and the correspondence relationship stored in the memory unit; and the output unit outputs the determined lifestyle improvement suggestion. [8] The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to Item 7, wherein the lifestyle improvement suggestion is at least one selected from the group consisting of ingestion of ingredients that alleviate premenstrual syndrome, recommended food (nutrient) intake, taking birth control pills, encouraged exercise, quitting smoking, drinking in moderation, stress management methods, and sleeping habits. [9] A system comprising the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to any one of items 5 to 8, wherein the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device is connected to a network, wherein analysis result data from a skin gas analyzer is input via the network to the input unit, and the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, or lifestyle improvement suggestions, determined from the output unit via the network, are output from the output unit.

[10] The system according to item 9, further comprising a network-connected skin gas analyzer comprising: a skin gas sampling unit; a skin gas analysis unit; and a network-connected output unit.

[11] The system according to item 9, further comprising a network-connected terminal device, wherein the terminal device comprises: a network connection unit connected to the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device; and a terminal output unit for outputting, via the network connection unit, at least one information selected from the group consisting of the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome of the subject and / or lifestyle improvement suggestions output from the output unit of the evaluation device.

[12] A premenstrual syndrome evaluation device comprising: an input unit to which data of analysis results from a skin gas analyzer is input; a learning unit that is pre-trained using teacher data including at least one amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and information on the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, and that outputs the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome when input information including at least one amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is input; and an output unit that outputs the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome output from the learning unit.

[13] A system including the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to item 12, wherein the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device is connected to a network, and the system comprises: the input unit to which data of analysis results from a skin gas analyzer is input via the network; and the output unit to output the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome determined via the network.

[0008] By measuring the amount of PMS-related skin gas, PMS can be determined.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a comparison of urinary lactulose (L) / mannitol (M) ratios before (Control) and after (Barrier Disruption) intestinal barrier damage treatment. FIG. 2 shows the results of a correlation analysis between the mMDQ (Modified Menstrual Distress Questionnaire) score, which evaluates premenstrual symptoms during the menstrual phase (A), follicular phase (B), and luteal phase (C), and the urinary lactulose / mannitol ratio during the luteal phase. FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of a premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10 according to the present invention. The process for determining premenstrual syndrome is carried out cooperatively by hardware resources, such as an input unit 11, a memory unit 12, a processing unit 13, an output unit 14, and a learning unit 15, connected via a bus. FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a premenstrual syndrome evaluation system 20 including the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10 according to the present invention, which is deployed on the Internet.

[0010] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating premenstrual syndrome based on the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas among collected skin gases, and to an apparatus and system for evaluating premenstrual syndrome.The present invention also relates to a method for evaluating intestinal barrier function based on the amount of intestinal barrier function-related skin gas among collected skin gases, and to an apparatus and system for evaluating intestinal barrier function.

[0011] [Method for Evaluating Premenstrual Syndrome] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating premenstrual syndrome, comprising the steps of: analyzing collected skin gases to detect premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases; and evaluating premenstrual syndrome from the amount of at least one of the detected premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases using a predetermined correspondence between the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases and premenstrual syndrome. By using premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases as an objective indicator, premenstrual syndrome can be evaluated based on the amount. The evaluation of premenstrual syndrome may be a determination of whether or not a woman has premenstrual syndrome, or may determine the severity of premenstrual syndrome in addition to whether or not she has premenstrual syndrome. The method for evaluating premenstrual syndrome may be referred to as a method for testing for premenstrual syndrome, a method for determining or distinguishing the state of premenstrual syndrome, or a method for determining the possibility or risk of suffering from premenstrual syndrome. The present invention may also relate to a method for determining the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases for the evaluation of premenstrual syndrome. Such a method may include: analyzing the collected skin gases to detect premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases; and determining the amount of at least one of the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases.

[0012] Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to the physical changes many women experience during their menstrual cycle, encompassing physical and / or mental discomfort before menstruation. PMS is also known as PMS. Symptoms of PMS include edema, constipation, drowsiness, lower back pain, lower abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, stiff shoulders, swelling, breast tenderness, dizziness, rough skin, acne, depression, anxiety, lethargy, lack of energy, decreased concentration, and irritability. While the cause of PMS is unclear, fluctuations in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are thought to be contributing factors. PMS is diagnosed according to guidelines and diagnostic criteria, typically focusing on the cyclical nature of daily symptoms. However, the wide variety of PMS symptoms makes diagnosis difficult and often deviates from clinical practice. Determining PMS based on objective indicators provides a simpler and more accurate diagnosis because it is independent of the physician's level of expertise.

[0013] The present invention demonstrates a correlation between intestinal barrier function and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (Figure 2). In particular, intestinal barrier function determined during the luteal phase correlates with premenstrual syndrome during the menstrual phase (A), follicular phase (B), and luteal phase (C). Furthermore, a correlation between intestinal barrier function and PMS-related skin gases has been demonstrated (Example 1, Table 1). This allows the state of PMS to be determined based on the amount of PMS-related skin gases. In light of the correlation between intestinal barrier function determined during the luteal phase and PMS during the menstrual phase (A), follicular phase (B), and luteal phase (C), it is preferable that the skin gas be collected during the luteal phase. In the PMS determined by the present invention, the actual symptoms suffered by the subject may be any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Furthermore, the present invention also allows the amount of PMS-related skin gases to be correlated with the severity of PMS. More specifically, when the PMS-related skin gas is nonanal or decanal, the higher the amount of the skin gas, the more severe the severity of the PMS can be determined, and when the amount of the PMS-related skin gas is lower, the more severe the severity of the PMS can be determined. When the PMS-related skin gas is decane or ethylbenzene, the lower the amount of the skin gas, the more severe the severity of the PMS can be determined, and when the amount of the PMS-related skin gas is lower, the more severe the severity of the PMS can be determined.

[0014] [Premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas] Premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas refers to skin gases emitted from the skin that are associated with the state of premenstrual syndrome. Examples of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases include decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal. Without intending to be limited by theory, the results of the intestinal barrier load test have shown a relationship between intestinal barrier function and premenstrual syndrome (Figure 2), so premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is thought to be derived from intestinal bacterial flora rather than normal skin bacteria, but is not limited thereto and may be derived from any bacteria including normal skin bacteria. Therefore, the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas according to the present invention can also be referred to as intestinal barrier function-related skin gas. Premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas / intestinal barrier function-related skin gas can be expressed by the following formula: Ethylbenzene and xylene have the same molecular weight and similar properties, which can make separation by gas chromatography difficult. Although o-xylene is described as xylene, p-xylene and m-xylene can also be difficult to separate. Therefore, in this invention, when ethylbenzene and / or xylene are referred to as premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases, this also includes cases where the gas chromatography refers to a mixture of these compounds. The premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas / intestinal barrier function-related skin gas is one compound arbitrarily selected from three compounds consisting of decane, nonanal, and decanal, and one mixture consisting of ethylbenzene and / or xylene. However, any combination of two, three, or all of these compounds may also be used. When a combination is used, the total amount may be used, or the degree of contribution to the premenstrual syndrome condition may be taken into consideration.

[0015] Collection and analysis of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases may be performed by any method. Skin gases can be collected by collecting gases emitted from the human body surface. Skin gas collection may be performed using contact sampling with cotton or polymeric materials (e.g., PDMS), or a wearable device (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-99322). Furthermore, when collecting skin gases from the hand, the entire hand can be covered with a gas-impermeable bag (e.g., a vinyl bag) and sealed at the wrist. The bag preferably has an openable collection port that allows the introduction or removal of gas from the bag. The gas in the bag is preferably air or has been replaced with an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen gas). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the gas in the bag can be transferred to another container (e.g., a storage container) through the collection port. The analysis of skin-related skin gases contained in the storage container is performed using solid phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS), or a combination of SPME and GC-MS. The analysis of skin-related skin gases contained in the storage container can be performed using techniques well known in the art, such as chromatography and / or mass spectrometry. More preferably, the analysis can be performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The amount of PMS-related skin gases may be determined using the Area% value of the chromatogram itself by standardizing the skin gas collection method, collection time, and analysis method. In this way, skin gas collection can be performed non-invasively and simply, so it can be easily collected without putting any strain on the body.

[0016] [Method for Evaluating Intestinal Barrier Function] In yet another aspect, the present invention may relate to a method for evaluating intestinal barrier function. More specifically, the method may include the following steps: analyzing collected skin gases to detect intestinal barrier function-related skin gases; and evaluating intestinal barrier function using the amount of at least one of the intestinal barrier function-related skin gases and a predetermined correspondence between the intestinal barrier function-related skin gas and intestinal barrier function. The health of the intestinal tract can be determined through the evaluation of intestinal barrier function. Intestinal barrier function is based on the health of tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells. Tight junctions are intercellular junctions between intestinal epithelial cells and are composed of constituent proteins such as occludin, claudin, and ZO-1. The formation of tight junctions acts as a physical barrier against foreign substances attempting to pass through intercellular spaces, thereby inhibiting the entry of foreign substances into the body. Digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome can reduce intestinal barrier function, allowing foreign substances to enter the body from the intestine. The method for evaluating intestinal barrier function can also be referred to as a method for determining intestinal barrier function. The present invention may further relate to a method for determining the amount of intestinal barrier function-related skin gases for the evaluation of intestinal barrier function, which may include the following steps: analyzing the collected skin gases to detect intestinal barrier function-related skin gases; and determining the amount of at least one of the intestinal barrier function-related skin gases.

[0017] Intestinal barrier function can generally be determined by a mannitol and lactulose challenge test. Mannitol, a small molecule, can pass through the intestinal barrier, while lactulose, a disaccharide, is only absorbed through sites of disrupted tight junctions. Intestinal barrier function can be determined by measuring the lactulose / mannitol ratio (L / M ratio) in blood or urine after ingesting mannitol and lactulose. An increase in the lactulose / mannitol ratio indicates a decrease in intestinal barrier function. Without intending to be limited by theory, a decrease in intestinal barrier function makes endogenous components originating from the inner surface of the body more likely to penetrate into the blood and be more likely to be released to the outside as skin gas.

[0018] In our research, we conducted questionnaires about premenstrual symptoms during the menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases in healthy women who were aware of premenstrual syndrome, and assessed their intestinal barrier function during the follicular and luteal phases. We found that intestinal barrier function during the luteal phase correlated with the severity of premenstrual syndrome during the menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases (Figure 2). This indicates a relationship between intestinal barrier function during the luteal phase and premenstrual syndrome.

[0019] The method for evaluating premenstrual syndrome according to the present invention can unambiguously determine whether a subject suffers from premenstrual syndrome by using a predetermined correlation between the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome. The correlation may be a correlation between the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome, or a correlation between the type and amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome. By using the correlation, it is possible to determine whether a subject suffers from premenstrual syndrome (hereinafter referred to as the presence or absence of premenstrual syndrome) from the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas. Furthermore, it is also possible to pre-create a correlation between not only the presence or absence of premenstrual syndrome, but also the severity of premenstrual syndrome if present, and the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas. Such a correlation may be a correspondence table, graph, or correlation equation, or a threshold value may be used. Because the determination of premenstrual syndrome can be unambiguously made, it does not require a doctor's judgment and can be considered a so-called non-diagnostic method. The method of the present invention can be used by persons other than medical professionals, for example, employees at cosmetic stores, beauty salons and other beauty service providers, or employees at testing companies.

[0020] [Premenstrual Syndrome Evaluation Device] Another aspect of the present invention may relate to a device for evaluating premenstrual syndrome (hereinafter referred to as a premenstrual syndrome evaluation device). Such a premenstrual syndrome evaluation device can determine the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome based on the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas. This premenstrual syndrome evaluation device specifically includes the following: an input unit 11 into which data of skin gas analysis results is input; a memory unit 12 that stores a correspondence relationship between the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome; a processing unit 13 that determines the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome based on the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas in the input data of skin gas analysis results and the correspondence relationship stored in the memory unit 12; and an output unit 14 that outputs the determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome. For example, the correspondence relationship between the amount of at least one PMS-related skin gas and the PMS stored in the memory unit 12 may be a correspondence table, a graph, or a correlation formula, or may be a relationship between one or more thresholds and the presence or absence and / or severity of the PMS. The PMS evaluation device can also be called a PMS determination device.

[0021] The PMS-evaluating device may further include providing lifestyle improvement suggestions corresponding to the determined severity of PMS in the processing unit 13. In such a PMS-evaluating device, the memory unit 12 further stores a correspondence relationship between the severity of PMS in the subject and lifestyle improvements corresponding to PMS, based on the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS in the subject; the processing unit 13 determines lifestyle improvement suggestions corresponding to the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS in the subject, based on the determined presence or absence and / or severity of PMS in the subject and the correspondence relationship stored in the memory unit 12; and the output unit 14 outputs the determined lifestyle improvement suggestions. The lifestyle improvement suggestions may include dietary therapy, exercise therapy, lifestyle changes for stress reduction, and / or drug therapy. More specifically, the lifestyle improvement suggestions may be at least one selected from the group consisting of intake of ingredients that alleviate PMS, recommended food (nutrient) intake, taking birth control pills, encouraged exercise, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, stress management techniques, and sleep habits, or any combination thereof.

[0022] The processing unit 13 can determine the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome by reading a correspondence relationship between the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome stored in the memory unit 12, and determining the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome based on the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas in the skin gas analysis result data input from the input unit 11 and the correspondence relationship. The processing unit 13 may extract the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas from the input skin gas analysis result data, or may input data on the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas in advance as the skin gas analysis result. The premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas may be any one of three compounds consisting of decane, nonanal, and decanal, and one mixture consisting of ethylbenzene and / or xylene, or any combination thereof. When the correspondence relationship is a correspondence table, the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome corresponding to the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas in the analysis data can be determined by reading from the correspondence table. If the correspondence relationship is a correlation equation, the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas in the analysis data can be substituted into the correlation equation to determine a numerical value for the severity of premenstrual syndrome. If the correspondence relationship is between one or more thresholds and the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome can be determined by comparing with each threshold. The determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome may be stored in the memory unit 12, or output from the memory unit 12 or directly from the processing unit 13 via the output unit 14.

[0023] In another embodiment, the PMS evaluation device may use a learning unit 15 that has been pre-trained using information on the amount of at least one PMS-related skin gas and information on the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS as training data when determining the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS. The learning unit 15 is pre-trained to output the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS when data including the amount of at least one PMS-related skin gas is input. The information on the amount of at least one PMS-related skin gas used when training the learning unit 15 may be information on the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas. That is, a learning unit 15 may be pre-trained using information on the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas and information on the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS as training data. The learning unit 15 is pre-trained to output the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS when data including the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas is input. Such a premenstrual syndrome evaluation device specifically includes the following: an input unit 11 that inputs data including the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas from a skin gas analyzer; a learning unit 15 that has been pre-trained in advance using information on the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and information on the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome as training data, and that outputs the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome in response to the data including the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas input from input unit 11; and an output unit 14 that outputs the output presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome in the subject. Such a premenstrual syndrome evaluation device may further include a processing unit 13 and a memory unit 12, and the processing unit 13 may control the input of the data including the type and amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas input from input unit 11 to learning unit 15, and the output of the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome output by learning unit 15 from output unit 14. The processing unit 13 may also perform pre-conditioning of the input skin gas analysis result data.As an example, the data including the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas input from input unit 11 may be the data of the skin gas analysis result itself, in which case processing unit 13 may perform a step of extracting the amount of PMS-related skin gas from the input data of the skin gas analysis result. Memory unit 12 may temporarily store the data including the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas input from input unit 11, and the presence or absence and / or severity of PMS output by learning unit 15.

[0024] The input unit 11 includes an interface. The interface may be connected to, for example, an operation unit such as a keyboard or mouse, a communication unit such as a LAN or port, or an external storage device such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, BD-ROM, or memory stick. Data including the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas may be input via the operation unit. Furthermore, instructions for processing in the processing unit 13 can be given from the input unit 11 via the operation unit.

[0025] The storage unit 12 may include a memory device such as RAM, ROM, or flash memory, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk drive, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or optical disk. The storage unit 12 may also store data and instructions input from the input unit 11. The storage unit 12 stores a correspondence relationship between the type and amount of PMS-related skin gas and the presence and / or severity of PMS. Specifically, the correspondence relationship between the type and amount of skin gas and the presence and / or severity of PMS may be stored as a correspondence table, graph, correlation equation, or threshold. The storage unit 12 may store the results of the arithmetic processing performed by the processing unit 13, as well as programs and databases used for various computer processes, and may also store the program of the learning unit 15. The computer program may be installed, for example, from a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or via the Internet. The computer program is installed in the storage unit 12 using a known setup program or the like.

[0026] The processing unit 13 executes various types of arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs stored in the storage unit 12. The arithmetic processing is performed by a central processing unit (CPU) included in the processing unit 13. This CPU includes functional modules that control the input unit 11, the storage unit 12, the learning unit 15, and the output unit 14, and is capable of performing various types of control. Each of these units may be composed of an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like. Information generated after each process by the processing unit 13 may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 12, or may be used directly in the next process.

[0027] The output unit 14 is configured to output the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome generated by performing arithmetic processing in the processing unit 13. The output unit 14 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display that directly displays the results of the arithmetic processing, or an output means such as a printer, or may be an interface unit for outputting to an external storage device or via a network.

[0028] The learning unit 15 uses a known machine learning technique, such as deep learning, to learn the relationship between input data including the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and information about the presence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome at that time. Information about the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and information about the presence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome at that time are obtained for various subjects, and the learning unit 15 can be trained using this data. Deep learning is machine learning using a multilayer neural network consisting of an input layer, an intermediate layer, and an output layer. A feature vector of the detection information is input to each node in the input layer. Each node in the intermediate layer outputs the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying each feature vector output from each node in the input layer by a weight, and the output layer outputs the sum of values ​​obtained by multiplying each feature vector output from each node in the intermediate layer by a weight. The learning unit 15 adjusts each weight while learning to minimize the difference between the output value from the output layer and the information about the presence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome. The input data input to the learning unit 15 is input data relating to the amount of at least one PMS-related skin gas, preferably information relating to the type and amount of the PMS-related skin gas. The PMS-related skin gas may be any one selected from decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal, or any combination thereof. In one example, the types and amounts of all four types may be input.

[0029] [Intestinal Barrier Function Evaluation Apparatus] Another aspect of the present invention may relate to an apparatus for evaluating intestinal barrier function (hereinafter referred to as an intestinal barrier function evaluation apparatus). Such an intestinal barrier function evaluation apparatus can determine intestinal barrier function based on the amount of intestinal barrier-related skin gas. This intestinal barrier function evaluation apparatus specifically includes the following: an input unit 11 into which data on skin gas analysis results is input; a memory unit 12 that stores a correspondence relationship between the amount of intestinal barrier function-related skin gas and intestinal barrier function; a processing unit 13 that determines intestinal barrier function based on the amount of intestinal barrier function-related skin gas in the skin gas analysis data and the correspondence relationship between the amount of intestinal barrier function-related skin gas and intestinal barrier function stored in the memory unit 12; and an output unit 14 that outputs the determined intestinal barrier function. As an example, the correspondence relationship between the type and amount of intestinal barrier function-related skin gas and intestinal barrier function stored in the memory unit 12 may be a correspondence table, graph, or correlation equation, or may be a relationship between one or more thresholds and intestinal barrier function. The intestinal barrier function evaluation device can also be called an intestinal barrier function determination device.

[0030] [Premenstrual Syndrome Evaluation System] The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10 of the present invention may exist on a network and may constitute a premenstrual syndrome evaluation system 20 including the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10. The premenstrual syndrome evaluation system 20 is configured so that data on the results of skin gas analysis are input to the input unit 11 of the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10 via the network; and the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome determined from the output unit 14 via the network. The premenstrual syndrome evaluation system 20 may further include a terminal device 30 and / or a skin gas analyzer 40 connected via the network. That is, the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10 may exist on a server, and the input unit 11 and the output unit 14 may be connected to the network via their respective interface units. Furthermore, the learning unit 15 used by the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device 10 may also be located externally via a server, so that premenstrual syndrome can be evaluated via communication.

[0031] The skin gas analyzer 40 includes the following components: a skin gas sampling unit; a skin gas analysis unit; and a skin gas analyzer output unit. Data on the results of the skin gas analysis can be output via the skin gas analyzer output unit. The output skin gas analysis data may be provided to the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device via a network or directly. The skin gas analyzer 40 may be any device capable of analyzing skin gas samples, and a chromatography device, particularly a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC / MS) device, may be used.

[0032] The network-connected terminal device 30 may include the following: a network connection unit connected to the premenstrual syndrome-evaluating device 10; and a terminal output unit for outputting, via the network connection unit, at least one information selected from the group consisting of the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome of the subject and lifestyle improvement suggestions depending on the severity output from the output unit 14 of the premenstrual syndrome-evaluating device. Data on the results of the skin gas analysis may be input to the premenstrual syndrome-evaluating device 10 via the network connection unit.

[0033] Another aspect of the present invention may relate to a program causing premenstrual syndrome-evaluating device 10 to perform the above-mentioned processes. Such a program includes the following instructions to processing unit 13: read input data input from input unit 11, including at least one amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas, read a correspondence relationship stored in memory unit 12 between the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, determine the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome from the input data and the correspondence relationship, and output the determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome to output unit 14. Instead of having processing unit 13 determine the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome from the correspondence relationship, input data may be input to learning unit 15, which has been pre-trained to output the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome when input data related to at least one amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is input, thereby determining the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome.

[0034] All documents mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0035] The following examples of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims. The present invention may be modified, for example, by adding, deleting, or substituting components of the present invention, provided that the modifications do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1: Relationship between Intestinal Barrier Function and Skin Gases. To study the relationship between the intestinal barrier and skin gases, four healthy men in their 40s and 50s were subjected to intestinal barrier injury treatment before and after skin gas collection and assessment of intestinal barrier function. On the day before skin gas collection, subjects ate a designated dinner and fasted for breakfast (only water was allowed). After waking, subjects urinated and ingested a lactulose (L) / mannitol (M) (5 g / 1 g) mixture. Urine samples were collected 2.5 to 5 hours after lactulose (L) / mannitol (M) ingestion, and the L / M ratio was determined by LC / MS / MS. After lactulose (L) / mannitol (M) ingestion, a skin gas collection bag made of a highly gas-barrier material was attached to the subject's hand and sealed. The skin gas collection bag had a connector, through which suction was applied and then filled with approximately 0.5 L of nitrogen gas. After wearing, the device was left in place for 2.5 hours, and skin gas samples were collected before intestinal barrier injury treatment. To collect skin gas samples after intestinal barrier injury treatment, the subjects were instructed to take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug after a designated dinner as intestinal barrier injury treatment. The following day, subjects fasted for breakfast. After waking up, the L / M ratio was determined and skin gas samples were collected according to the same schedule as on day 1. The changes in the L / M ratio before and after intestinal challenge are shown in Figure 1.

[0037] The collected skin gas samples were transferred from the connecting part to a skin gas storage bag made of a highly gas-barrier material and stored there. The skin gas in the storage bag was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Of the skin gas components that showed significant changes before and after the intestinal barrier injury treatment, the following five compounds were focused on: The ratio of skin gases before and after the change of the above compounds was calculated using the following formula: The results are shown in Table 1.

[0038] Example 2: Relationship between intestinal barrier function and PMS symptoms Healthy women (aged 20-45) who were aware of PMS were administered a PMS questionnaire (modified MDQ) during the follicular phase (5-10 days after the onset of menstruation, when PMS symptoms have disappeared after menstruation), the luteal phase (5 days before the onset of the next menstruation, when PMS symptoms are present), and the menstrual phase. In addition, during the luteal phase, intestinal barrier function was evaluated as follows.

[0039] Measurement of intestinal barrier function Intestinal barrier function was measured using the following method. Subjects were fasted for breakfast (only water was allowed). After waking up, they urinated and then ingested lactulose (L) / mannitol (M) (5 g / 1 g). Urine was collected 2.5 to 5 hours after ingestion of lactulose (L) / mannitol (M), and the amounts of lactulose and mannitol were measured by LC / MS / MS to calculate the L / M ratio.

[0040] Modified MDQ (mMDQ) The modified MDQ (Menstrual Distress Questionnaire) uses 54 items: the 47-item Japanese version of the "Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ)" developed by Moos (Non-Patent Document 2), translated by Akiyama et al. (Non-Patent Document 3), and adapted for Japanese use to measure both physical and mental complaints associated with the menstrual cycle, plus 7 items of symptoms commonly associated with PMS (premenstrual syndrome) added by Odagawa et al. (Non-Patent Document 4). The L / M ratio and the PMS symptom scores from the modified MDQ are plotted on a graph (Figure 2: menstrual phase (A), follicular phase (B), and luteal phase (C)).

[0041] Figure 1 shows that a decrease in intestinal barrier function leads to an increase in the L / M ratio. Figure 2 shows that a decrease in intestinal barrier function leads to an exacerbation of PMS symptoms. Furthermore, Example 1 shows that a decrease in intestinal barrier function leads to a decrease in the amounts of decane and ethylbenzene, while the amounts of nonanal and decanal increase, indicating that these skin gases can be used as indicators of intestinal barrier function. From the above results, PMS symptoms can be determined based on the amount of skin gas selected from the group consisting of decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal.

Claims

1. A method for assessing premenstrual syndrome, comprising: analyzing collected skin gases to detect premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases; and assessing premenstrual syndrome from the amount of at least one of the detected premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases using a predetermined correspondence between the amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gases and premenstrual syndrome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is selected from the group consisting of decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is an indicator of intestinal barrier function.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the correspondence is a correspondence table showing the relationship between the range of amounts of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome, or the relationship between the threshold amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome.

5. A device for evaluating premenstrual syndrome, comprising: an input unit into which analysis result data from a skin gas analyzer is input; a memory unit that stores a correspondence between the amount of at least one premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and premenstrual syndrome; a processing unit that determines the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome from the input analysis result data and the correspondence stored in the memory unit; and an output unit that outputs the determined presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome.

6. The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to claim 5, wherein the type of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is selected from the group consisting of decane, ethylbenzene and / or xylene, nonanal, and decanal.

7. The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to claim 5, wherein the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device provides lifestyle improvement suggestions corresponding to the premenstrual syndrome based on the determined presence or absence and / or severity of the premenstrual syndrome of the subject, wherein: the memory unit further stores a correspondence relationship between the presence or absence and / or severity of the premenstrual syndrome of the subject and lifestyle improvements corresponding to the premenstrual syndrome; the processing unit determines lifestyle improvement suggestions corresponding to the presence or absence and / or severity of the premenstrual syndrome from the determined presence or absence and / or severity of the premenstrual syndrome of the subject and the correspondence relationship stored in the memory unit; and the output unit outputs the determined lifestyle improvement suggestions.

8. The premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to claim 7, wherein the lifestyle improvement suggestions are at least one selected from the group consisting of taking ingredients that alleviate premenstrual syndrome, recommending food (nutrient) intake, taking birth control pills, encouraging exercise, quitting smoking, drinking in moderation, stress management methods, and sleeping habits.

9. A system including the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device is connected to a network, and wherein analysis result data from a skin gas analyzer is input to the input unit via the network; and the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, or lifestyle improvement suggestions, determined via the network are output from the output unit.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a network-connected skin gas analyzer, the skin gas analyzer comprising: a skin gas sampling unit; a skin gas analysis unit; and a network-connected output unit.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a network-connected terminal device, the terminal device comprising: a network connection unit connected to said premenstrual syndrome evaluation device; and a terminal output unit for outputting, via said network connection unit, at least one information selected from the group consisting of the presence / absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome in the subject and / or lifestyle improvement suggestions output from the output unit of said evaluation device.

12. A device for evaluating premenstrual syndrome, comprising: an input unit to which data of analysis results from a skin gas analyzer is input; a learning unit that is pre-trained using training data including at least one amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas and information on the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome, and that outputs the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome when input information including at least one amount of premenstrual syndrome-related skin gas is input; and an output unit that outputs the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome output from the learning unit.

13. A system including the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device according to claim 12, wherein the premenstrual syndrome evaluation device is connected to a network, and wherein analysis result data from a skin gas analyzer is input to the input unit via the network; and the presence or absence and / or severity of premenstrual syndrome determined via the network is output from the output unit.

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