IMJ Award in 2023

"GOLD PRIZE"

      Dr. Chizuko Maeda, Dr. Takahiko Nagamine, Dr. Chihiro Takao, Dr. Risa Tominaga, Dr. Yasuyuki Kimura, Dr. Motoko Watanabe, Dr. Akira Toyofuku
      Are the Effects of Amitriptyline and Aripiprazole on Pain Catastrophizing in Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome Associated with Changes in QTc and Prolactin Levels?
      International Medical Journal 2023; 30(4): 178-182.

"SILVER PRIZE"

      Dr. Yumiko Ido, Dr. Megumu Yano, Dr. Seiichiro Tarutani, Dr. Takahiko Nagamine
      High Prevotella-to-Bacteroides Ratio Predicts Antidepressant Effect of 4G-beta-D-Galactosylsucrose
      International Medical Journal 2023; 30(2): 120-121.

"BRONZE PRIZE"

      Dr. Rizal Fahly, Dr. Resliany Rachim, Dr. Haerani Rasyid, Dr. Risna Halim
      Acute Kidney Injury in Anicteric Leptospirosis with Typhoid Fever
      International Medical Journal 2022; 29(6): 374-376.

Reasons for selection of "GOLD PRIZE"

   The paper by Maeda et al. examined the responsiveness of pharmacotherapy to destructive thoughts in chronic oral-facial pain. They showed that monoamine modulation was effective in controlling pain and controlling emotions about pain. Furthermore, they are outstanding in showing that the effects can be predicted from changes in QTc intervals on the electrocardiogram, and their study of QTc not only as a check on the side effects of psychotropic drugs, but also as a biological signal indicating improvement in mental function, is commendable. This is a pioneering study because it has become clear in recent years that changes in the autonomic nervous system are associated with changes in QTc.

Reasons for selection of "SILVER PRIZE"

   Letter papers should use this column to report small, important data or significant cases that are not yet generalizable enough to be presented as original papers or cases, but that are expected to be developed in future research. This paper reports changes in gut microbiota as a predictor of efficacy in the effect of administering prebiotics to antidepressants. The paper shows that the ratio of Prevotella to Bacteroides, both of which are bacteria of the genus Bacteroides, is associated with antidepressant efficacy. The research on the relationship between the intestinal microflora and mental functions is highly evaluated because it shows the relationship between the mind and the body. + The content of this paper is excellent, although it is a letter, with clinical application of the analysis of intestinal microflora using the latest technology. Since the number of cases is small, the number of cases should be increased and ongoing research should be conducted.

Reasons for selection of "BRONZE PRIZE"

   The authors report a case of typhoid complicated by leptospirosis and renal failure. Although this case was published in the December 2022 issue, we included it in the selection process because there was no case report award yet last year. The presentation of the case is also easy to understand, showing a Progress Chart. The information is clinically useful, showing that dialysis could have been avoided with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Typhoid and leptospirosis are important infectious diseases on a global scale, but they are also forgotten infections in some regions, so case reports of treatment progress are valuable.

IMJ Award 2023 Selection Results

   Founded in 1994 by the late Dr. Sakuta as a forum for academic exchange to promote evidence-based medicine like the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the IMJ has served as a medium for sharing information on community medicine worldwide, including community-specific diseases and mental health. Therefore, the IMJ Award recognizes papers that explore the relationship between biological and psychosocial diseases using biological markers, as well as reports of diseases, including infectious diseases, in developing countries that have been forgotten in the West. The 2023 IMJ Award was selected from among all IMJ papers published between December 2022 and December 2023.

   IMJ is committed to recognizing outstanding papers. We will be selecting the IMJ award winners again next year and look forward to receiving submissions of outstanding papers.