Greeting from the Principal Investigator

The J-ORBIT project is an innovative initiative to construct a comprehensive clinical database directly linked to electronic medical records (EMRs), utilizing the SS-MIX2 system. SS-MIX2, supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan, is an electronic medical record backup system already implemented in major hospitals nationwide, including university hospitals. However, while SS-MIX2 can store structured clinical information such as laboratory results and prescriptions, it is unable to directly manage unstructured clinical data such as patient history, symptoms, and medical conditions, which are routinely documented in clinical practice as free text.

To overcome this challenge, the J-ORBIT project has developed and integrated an Obesity Disease Management Template into the existing EMR systems, enabling healthcare providers to efficiently convert unstructured clinical information into structured data specifically related to obesity. The data entered through this template are anonymized and stored systematically, allowing for the continuous accumulation of comprehensive, real-world clinical data on obesity management simply by performing daily clinical practice.

The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO) has introduced several innovative concepts that advance obesity medicine, and J-ORBIT aims to support these initiatives by establishing a large-scale database that continuously collects obesity-related clinical data from thousands of individuals across multiple institutions. By creating this database, we aim to address the current shortage of detailed clinical data on obesity disease in Japan. Our goal is to accumulate clinical information from tens of thousands of individuals through the participation of approximately eight major medical institutions nationwide, thereby providing valuable insights into obesity and related health disorders.

This comprehensive database will not only improve obesity care but also serve as a valuable resource for research across various medical disciplines. As the principal investigator, I am committed to making every effort to advance the J-ORBIT project. We greatly appreciate your continued support and cooperation.

Expectations for J-ORBIT

The J-ORBIT project is establishing an essential system that collects important clinical information on obesity disease, converting unstructured data into structured clinical information, and continuously accumulating data from routine clinical practice.

In March 2023, semaglutide was approved in Japan for the treatment of obesity. Development of anti-obesity drugs is progressing worldwide, underscoring the increasing importance of promptly collecting comprehensive clinical data. Given this background, the role played by the J-ORBIT project is becoming increasingly crucial.

Building on progress thus far, J-ORBIT aims to support advancements in obesity research and clinical practice, contributing further to the field by utilizing the comprehensive data it gathers. Through the expansion and continuous improvement of this database, we aim to advance obesity medicine and enhance the quality of care.

We sincerely hope that this promising initiative will continue to progress, ultimately leading to improved clinical outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals. Additionally, we kindly request ongoing support and collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure the continued development and success of the J-ORBIT project.

The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO) has pioneered the concept of 'Obesity Disease' with the aim of clearly identifying individuals with obesity who require medical intervention. Previously, obesity was primarily defined solely by body mass index (BMI), a surrogate measure of fat accumulation. JASSO was among the first globally to establish the concept of 'Obesity Disease,' shifting the focus toward obesity-related health disorders or risk of their development. Recent statements from international societies have also advocated redefining obesity not just by BMI, but from the perspective of associated health complications and disease risk, showing that the concept of 'Obesity Disease' has significantly influenced global academic discussions.

Moreover, recognizing that visceral fat accumulation is more strongly linked to metabolic disorders compared with subcutaneous fat accumulation, as demonstrated in studies on Japanese populations, JASSO introduced the concept of 'visceral fat obesity.' This notion aligns with the Western recognition of the variability in health risks at similar BMI levels, which has given rise to the classification of 'metabolically healthy obese.' The extent of visceral fat accumulation is now considered a key factor distinguishing 'metabolically healthy obese' from 'metabolically unhealthy obese.'

Having pioneered these groundbreaking concepts internationally, JASSO, under the research leadership of Professor Wataru Ogawa (Chair of the Scientific Committee), has now established J-ORBIT, a system designed to directly collect clinical data on obesity from electronic medical records (EMRs). This comprehensive EMR-linked information collection system for obesity disease is the first of its kind worldwide, with a similar system, J-DREAMS, operated by the Japan Diabetes Society, currently being the only comparable initiative.

With the expanding adoption of metabolic and bariatric surgery, along with the development of novel anti-obesity medications, significant transformations in obesity management in Japan are anticipated in the coming years. Launching the J-ORBIT system at this crucial juncture holds substantial significance. We believe J-ORBIT will generate numerous critical academic insights related to obesity and significantly contribute to the advancement of obesity research and clinical practice in Japan.