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Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as health-related lifestyle diseases, are the leading cause of mortality and societal and economic burdens. Poor lifestyle behaviors, which are modifiable to improve health, can cause diseases, including NCDs. Health literacy has been recognized as an important determinant of health, and studies have shown that higher health literacy is associated with better health outcomes and positive health-related behaviors. However, few studies have investigated the association between health literacy and health-related lifestyle behaviors to understand the mechanistic link between them. Thus, this study investigated the extent to which health literacy at different levels influences health-related lifestyle behaviors among Japanese health professionals, in line with national health promotion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Japanese health management specialists (N = 1,920). Functional, critical, and communicative health literacy were measured. Lifestyle behaviors (exercise, diet and nutrition, sleep, rest, smoking, and alcohol intake), in line with the Japanese National Health Promotion Program, were assessed and calculated into a total cumulative score of health-related lifestyle behaviors. Moreover, we analyzed the associations between the three levels of health literacy and lifestyle behaviors using regression analyses by adjusting for socio-psycho-demographic factors. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses showed a significant association between the Japanese version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire and total health-related lifestyle scores (standardized β = 0.160, p< 0.001, R = 0.369) after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Similarly, the association between communicative and critical health literacy and the total health-related lifestyle scores was significant (standardized β = 0.122, p < 0.001, R = 0.355). The analysis indicated that individuals who had higher level of health literacy (critical and communicative) than functional health literacy (Japanese version of the Newest Vital Sign score) had higher health-related lifestyle behaviors. Conclusions: A higher level of health literacy is associated with health-related lifestyle behaviors. Health literacy can be a target for interventions to achieve the national goal of lifestyle-related disease prevention and control.

A strong sense of purpose and satisfaction in life is associated with multiple health benefits. There is also evidence to suggest that social capital predicts better health indicators. While both social capital and purpose and satisfaction in life direct better health, the relationship between social capital and purpose and satisfaction in life in terms of health, remains unclear. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on Japanese health management professionals (N = 4820). We analyzed the cohort’s demographics and reported changes in social capital (social engagement and trust), purpose in life, and life satisfaction using self-reported questionnaires and the Ikigai-9 scale. The cohort was categorized into group 1 (neither changes), group 2 (one changes), and group 3 (both change), based on the number of changes reported in social capital. Purpose in life and life satisfaction scores were then compared among the three groups. The purpose in life score (SD [standard deviation]) for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 30.7 (6.0), 32.5 (5.6), and 35.6 (5.2), respectively. Life satisfaction scores (SD) for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 3.35 (0.8), 3.67 (0.8), and 4.26 (0.7), respectively. We found a statistically significant difference in purpose and satisfaction in life among the three groups (F(2) = 361.4, p F(2) = 703.9, p

This study aimed to compare the mean number of adenomas in patients undergoing Endo-wing-assisted colonoscopy (EAC) and transparent hood-assisted colonoscopy (TAC).Patients undergoing colonoscopy for positive fecal immunochemical tests, colon polyp surveillance, and evaluation of abdominal symptoms at a single institution were randomly assigned to the EAC or TAC group. The mean number of adenomas per patient, adenoma detection rate, cecal intubation time, withdrawal time, mean number of adenomas per location, and adenoma size were compared.Overall, 800 patients were enrolled. The EAC and TAC groups comprised 372 and 393 patients, respectively. The groups did not significantly differ with respect to cecal intubation and withdrawal times. The mean number of adenomas per patient was significantly higher in the EAC group (1.13 vs 0.90, P = 0.04), particularly in the sigmoid colon (0.54 [201/372] vs 0.38 [149/393], P = 0.04). The adenoma detection rates were 48.1% and 45.0% in the EAC and TAC groups, respectively, albeit without significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.393). The total number of sessile-type adenomas (0.73 [270/372] vs 0.47 [183/393], P 0.0001) and small polyps (≤ 5 mm) (0.53 [198/372] vs 0.41 [159/393], P = 0.016) was significantly higher in the EAC group.Endo-wing-assisted colonoscopy is significantly superior to TAC in terms of the mean number of adenomas per patient.

Purpose in life is anchored as a goal in national health promotion plans in several countries. Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, use, and evaluate health-related information; this ability has been investigated in terms of its effect on health outcomes and is said to play a critical role in health promotion. In the context of national health promotion, the effect of health literacy on purpose in life and life satisfaction remains unclear; therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of health literacy. A cross-sectional study was conducted on Japanese health management specialists (N = 1920). Health literacy was measured using the Communicative and Critical Health Literacy scale. Purpose in life and life satisfaction were measured using the Ikigai-9 scale and a Likert scale, respectively. We analyzed the associations between health literacy and purpose in life and life satisfaction with regression analyses. Age, sex, income, education, marital status, psychological stress, and diseases as present illness were adjusted in the statistical models. Our multiple linear regressions indicated that health literacy was significantly associated with purpose in life (β = 0.199, p β = 0.126, p

BACKGROUND AND AIM The adenoma detection rate is an important indicator of colonoscopy quality and colorectal cancer incidence. We compared the adenoma detection rates between white light imaging (WLI) and linked color imaging (LCI) colonoscopy. METHODS Patients undergoing colonoscopy for positive fecal immunochemical tests, follow-up of colon polyps, and abdominal symptoms at three institutions were randomly assigned to the LCI or WLI groups. Mean adenoma number per patient (including based on endoscopists' experience), adenoma detection rate, cecal intubation time, withdrawal time, mean adenoma number per location, and adenoma size were compared. RESULTS The LCI and WLI groups comprised 494 and 501 patients, respectively. No significant differences in the cecal intubation rate (LCI vs WLI: 99.5% vs 99.4%), cecal intubation time, and withdrawal time were noted between groups. The mean adenoma number per patient was significantly higher in the LCI group than in the WLI group (1.07 vs 0.88, P = 0.04), particularly in the descending [0.12 (58/494) vs 0.07 (35/501), P = 0.01] and sigmoid colon [0.41 (201/494) vs 0.30 (149/501), P ≤ 0.001]. However, the adenoma detection rate was 47.1% in the LCI group and 46.9% in the WLI group, with no significant difference (P = 0.93). The total number of sessile-type adenomas was significantly higher in the LCI group than in the WLI group (346/494 vs 278/501, P = 0.04). As for polyp size, small polyps (≤ 5 mm) were detected at a significantly higher rate in the LCI group (271/494 vs 336/501, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION Linked color imaging is significantly superior to WLI in terms of mean adenoma number per patient.

To improve health among the population and reduce the societal burden of care and health-related costs in a rapidly aging environment, the Japanese government launched the “National Health Promotion Program in the 21st Century” (HJ21), which contains goals concerning areas such as lifestyle behavior and the use of preventive medicine. While health care personnel are responsible for guiding others’ health choices, they may not maintain healthy lifestyles themselves. Whether these individuals are meeting the HJ21 goals has not yet been examined. This study aims to determine whether certified specialists in health management are meeting such goals, and to compare their performance with the national average. This is a cross-sectional survey study. Study participants, sourced from all prefectures in Japan, were specialists certified in health management. We measured data concerning demographic information, lifestyle (physical activity, nutrition, diet, sleep, rest, smoking, and alcohol use), and the use of preventive medicine. The study participants exhibited many characteristics of high health literacy. They had an overall healthy lifestyle and met most of the HJ21 goals of healthy lifestyle, and a high proportion underwent health maintenance examinations and cancer screenings. These practices and behaviors maybe associated with high health literacy and social engagement activities.

A growing number of studies have revealed the association between health-related lifestyle habits and purpose in life. However, the mechanism linking the two has not been adequately understood. This study aims to examine the effect of changes in health-related lifestyle habits on purpose in life. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on certified professional specialists of health management. We analyzed the cohort&rsquo, s demographic information, health-related lifestyle behaviors, reported changes in health-related lifestyle habits (exercise, diet, sleep, and other habits), and purpose in life using a validated tool (Ikigai-9). The cohort was divided into four groups based on the number of reported changes in health-related lifestyles. The purpose in life score was compared among the four groups with and without adjusting for lifestyle. In total, there were 4820 participants. The means (and SD) of the Ikigai-9 score for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 31.4 (6.6), 32.2 (5.6), 32.8 (5.8), and 34.9 (5.4), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the Ikigai-9 score among the groups. Healthier changes in lifestyle habits increased perceptions of purpose in life. Both purpose in life and health-related lifestyle habits might be the target factors for disease prevention and health promotion.

Background and aims Laser endoscopy involves blue laser imaging in bright mode (BLI-bright). Linked color imaging (LCI) is superior to white light imaging (WLI) for detecting gastric cancers. This study aimed to detect gastric cancers on screening endoscopy using not only WLI but also BLI-bright and LCI in patients with atrophic gastritis. Patients and methods A total of 500 patients with atrophic gastritis undergoing screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy were included. The gastric lumen was observed in the WLI mode, followed by the LCI and BLI-bright modes. When gastric neoplasms were suspected, the mode was changed to WLI, and we sprayed indigo carmine. Finally, biopsy specimens were taken for those lesions and pathological diagnosis was made. We compared the size, morphology, and color of gastric neoplasms found by the first WLI mode and those detected by only the LCI mode or BLI-bright mode. Results We detected 16 gastric neoplasms (3.2%), of which 13 were early gastric cancers (EGCs) and three were gastric adenomas. Ten EGCs and two gastric adenomas (75%) were detected by the first WLI mode; three EGCs and one gastric adenoma (25%) were missed by the first WLI mode and were detected by the LCI mode or BLI-bright mode. All were less than 1 cm in diameter and were reddish. Mean diameter of the lesions was significantly less for LCI-detected or BLI-bright-detected lesions than for WLI-detected lesions (7.8 vs 21.2 mm). Conclusions Laser endoscopy is useful for detecting EGCs by LCI for patients with atrophic gastritis.

Objective: Designing an efficient management strategy for aspiration is of high priority in our aging society because of its high incidence. We evaluated the prognostic value of both the A-DROP (age, dehydration, respiratory, disorientation, and pressure) and the modified A-DROP scoring systems (adding respiratory rate and comorbidity to A-DROP) in patients with aspiration pneumonia. Design: This is a retrospective study using electronic medical records at Saitama Medical University (SMU) hospital. Setting: A 965-bed university tertiary medical center in Japan. Participants: Data were extracted from the electronic medical records of patients from SMU hospital. Methods: In-hospital mortality was compared between two groups: (1) those with a ‘severe’ to ‘advanced severe’ A-DROP score; and (2) those with a ‘low’ to ‘middle’ A-DROP score. Area under the curve (AUC) for mortality for both the A-DROP and modified A-DROP scoring systems were compared. Results: The in-hospital mortality rates for patients with a high and a low A-DROP score were 28.6% and 9.0%, respectively. The mortality rates in the high modified A-DROP score group and in the low modified A-DROP score group were 28.2% and 9.9%, respectively. These differences in the mortality rates between the two groups were statistically significant for both the A-DROP and the modified A-DROP scoring systems. The AUC of the receiver operating characteristics curve for the A-DROP (0.700; 95% confidence interval, 0.608-0.779) was statistically significant. Conclusion: The A-DROP and modified A-DROP scoring systems are associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with aspiration pneumonia. The A-DROP scoring system is easy to use and may be a clinically valuable tool in the management of aspiration pneumonia.

Background: In Japan, where the population is aging particularly rapidly, “healthy aging” is being advocated as a means of addressing the potential societal burdens caused by older adults’ need for nursing care and the high associated health-care costs. To improve healthy aging among the population, the Japanese government has launched the “National Health Promotion in the 21st Century” (HJ21), which contains goals concerning areas such as lifestyle behavior and use of preventive medicine. Low health literacy is associated with many health-related issues; however, whether individuals with high health literacy are meeting the HJ21 goals has not yet been examined. This study aims to determine whether a cohort with high health literacy are meeting such goals, and to compare the cohort’s performance with the national average. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study. Study participants, sourced from all prefectures in Japan, were professional specialists in health management certified by the Japanese Association of Preventive Medicine for Adult Disease. We measured data concerning the cohort’s demographic information, health perception, lifestyle (including physical activity) and use of preventive medicine. Results: The cohort showed many characteristics of high health literacy. The cohort had an overall healthy lifestyle and met most of the HJ21 goals; in particular, a high proportion underwent health-maintenance exams and cancer screenings. Conclusions: The high health literacy cohort showed a healthy lifestyle. Compared to the national average, a higher proportion of the cohort met the HJ21 goals and received preventive medicine.

Stress is a primary target of national health promotion efforts such as Healthy Japan in the 21st century (HJ21). However, little is known about how the combination of perceived stress and coping adequacy influence health-related lifestyle behaviors in line with national health promotion. This study assessed the association between combined perceived stress and coping adequacy and multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors in HJ21 practices. This cross-sectional survey that included specialists in health management comprehensively assessed multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors in accordance with HJ21. Total health-related lifestyle behavior scores were calculated and perceived stress and coping adequacy were recorded and categorized into four groups with group 1 to 4 being high to none, and highly adequate to not at all, respectively. The average total lifestyle behavior scores (standard deviation [SD]) were 35.1 (3.5), 33.7 (3.6), 31.8 (3.8), and 30.5 (4.9) for groups 1 to 4 of coping adequacy (p < 0.001). Further, individuals who had higher stress coping adequacy had better multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors after adjusting for demographic factors and perceived stress in the linear trend among the groups. Stress coping skills might be an essential target for stress reduction, ultimately leading to health promotion for disease prevention and longevity.

Although thyroid hormone is a known stimulator of erythropoietic differentiation, severe anemia is sometimes observed in patients with hyperthyroidism and this mechanism is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on hemin-induced erythropoiesis. Human erythroleukemia K562 cells were used as an erythroid differentiation model. Cell differentiation was induced by hemin and the effect of pre-incubation with T3 (0.1 to 100 nM) was analyzed by measuring the benzidine-positive rate, hemoglobin content, CD71 expression (transferrin receptor), and mRNA expression for transcription factors related to erythropoiesis and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). Hemin, a promoter of erythroid differentiation, increased the levels of mRNAs for TRα, TRβ, and retinoid X receptor α (RXRα), as well as those for nuclear factor-erythroid 2 (NFE2), GATA-binding protein 1 (GATA1) and GATA-binding protein 2 (GATA2). Lower concentrations of T3 had a stimulatory effect on hemin-induced hemoglobin production (1 and 10 nM), CD71 expression (0.1 nM), and α-globin mRNA expression (1 nM), while a higher concentration of T3 (100 nM) abrogated the stimulatory effect on these parameters. T3 at 100 nM did not affect cell viability and proliferation, suggesting that the abrogation of erythropoiesis enhancement was not due to toxicity. T3 at 100 nM also significantly inhibited expression of GATA2 and RXRα mRNA, compared to 1 nM T3. We conclude that a high concentration of T3 attenuates the classical stimulatory effect on erythropoiesis exerted by a low concentration of T3 in hemin-induced K562 cells.

Aortic stiffness is being recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality independent of blood pressure (BP), age, and other CVD risk factors.1 Aortic stiffness can be measured noninvasively by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), which is considered the gold standard method. In fact, the European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology added cfPWV as a factor to assess future CVD risk in recently published guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension.2 A recent meta-analysis reported that supplementation of marine n-3 fatty acids (FAs) improved aortic stiffness.3 The randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in the meta-analysis4–12 and 1 more recent RCT13 have several characteristics. First, subjects in these RCTs were individuals with type 2 diabetes,5,9 metabolic syndrome,10 hyperlipidemia,11,12 or individuals who were obese or overweight.4,6–8 Thus, the result may not be extrapolated to the general population. Second, although the differential effect of 2 major marine n-3 FAs: eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA; 22:6 n-3), on CVD risk factors is a current research topic,14 only 1 RCT11 reported the effect of each of DHA and EPA on aortic stiffness separately. Third, although cfPWV is regarded as the gold standard to evaluate aortic stiffness, these RCTs, except for one study,13 used other methods. Finally, most of these RCTs examined the effect of >1 gram of fish oil on aortic stiffness,4–7,9–11,15 as compared with

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor of coronary heart disease. Vascular calcification such as coronary artery calcium (CAC) and aortic calcium (AC) is associated with coronary heart disease. The authors hypothesised that cigarette smoking is associated with coronary artery and aortic calcifications in Japanese and Koreans with high smoking prevalence.Random samples from populations of 313 Japanese and 302 Korean men aged 40-49 years were examined for calcification of the coronary artery and aorta using electron beam CT. CAC and AC were quantified using the Agatston score. The authors examined the associations of cigarette smoking with CAC and AC after adjusting for conventional risk factors and alcohol consumption. Current and past smokers were combined and categorised into two groups using median pack-years as a cut-off point in each of Japanese and Koreans. The never-smoker group was used as a reference for the multiple logistic regression analyses.The ORs of CAC (score ≥10) for smokers with higher pack-years were 2.9 in Japanese (p0.05) and 1.3 in Koreans (non-significant) compared with never-smokers. The ORs of AC (score ≥100) for smokers with higher pack-years were 10.4 in Japanese (p0.05) and 3.6 in Koreans (p0.05).Cigarette smoking with higher pack-years is significantly associated with CAC and AC in Japanese men, while cigarette smoking with higher pack-years is significantly associated with AC but not significantly with CAC in Korean men.

Lifestyle-related chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease are the greatest public health concerns. Evidence shows Japanese immigrants to a westernized environment have higher incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. However, little is known about lifestyle characteristics related to chronic diseases for Japanese in a westernized environment. This study is examining the gap in lifestyle by comparing the lifestyle prevalence for Japanese in the US with the Japanese National Data (the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan, J-NHANS) as well as the Japan National Health Promotion in the twenty-first Century (HJ21) goals. Japanese adults were surveyed in Pittsburgh, USA, regarding their lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking, stress, alcohol, and oral hygiene). The prevalence was compared with J-NHANS and HJ21 goals. Ninety-three responded (response rate; 97.9%). Japanese men (n = 38) and women (n = 55) in Pittsburgh smoke less than Japanese in Japan (P

Physical activity is closely associated with non-communicable chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke. Many of the Japanese travel overseas due to the recent globalism. Under the current environment, we expect increasing number of Japanese being exposed to the environment outside of the countries. Past studies showed higher risks for non-communicable chronic diseases due to physical inactivity among Japanese in westernized environment. Since health statistics based on disaggregated data for specific ethnicity provide much more useful information in health promotion, we review health issues on physical activity, exercise, and sedentary behavior specifically among Japanese who reside overseas as the target population. Then, we strive to make useful suggestion on physical activity in daily life, exercise, and sedentary behavior when primary care physicians manage health promotion to Japanese in westernized environment. We also include several suggestions using the mixture of evidence from reported studies and our experience providing care to Japanese residing in westernized environment. We aim to increase efficiency of preventive medicine for Japanese overseas through effective health promotion through physical activity in daily life, exercise, and less sedentary behavior

Both indices of obesity and lipoprotein subfractions contribute to coronary heart disease risk. However, associations between indices of obesity and lipoprotein subfractions remain undetermined across different ethnic groups. This study aims to examine the associations of indices of obesity in Japanese Americans (JA), African Americans (AA) and Koreans with lipoprotein subfractions.A population-based sample of 230 JA, 91 AA, and 291 Korean men aged 40-49 was examined for indices of obesity, i.e., visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT, respectively), waist circumference (WC), and body-mass index (BMI), and for lipoprotein subfractions by nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy. Multiple regression analyses were performed in each of the three ethnic groups to examine the associations of each index of obesity with lipoprotein.VAT had significant positive associations with total and small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a significant negative association with large high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in all three ethnicities (p0.01). SAT, WC, and BMI had significant positive associations with total and small LDL in only JA and Koreans, while these indices had significant inverse associations with large HDL in all ethnic groups (p0.01). Compared to SAT, VAT had largerVAT is significantly associated with total and small LDL and large HDL in all three ethnic groups. The associations of SAT, WC, and BMI with lipoprotein subfractions are weaker compared to VAT in all three ethnic groups.

Background Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are global public health issues. Physical activity, exercise and sedentary behavior are important lifestyle factors to determine risk of NCDs. Immigrant studies have shown higher risk of developing NCDs among immigrants. Less physical activity among Japanese immigrants to westernized environment was also documented. However, little is known about detailed physical activity, exercise and sedentary behavior among Japanese residing in westernized environment. This cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze physical activity in daily life, exercise, and sedentary behavior among Japanese in westernized environment and then to compare the results to native Japanese in Japan. Methods Japanese adults in Pittsburgh who were registered at an urban primary care clinic were surveyed in terms of physical activity in daily life, exercise, and sedentary behavior. The results were compared to age- and gender-matched Japanese averages from the national data (Japanese National Health and Nutrition Survey, J-NHANS). Results Of 97 identified for inclusion, all responded. Japanese in Pittsburgh did not engage physical activity in daily life as compared to J-NHANS results (p

Background: Both indices of obesity and lipoprotein subfractions contribute to coronary heart disease risk. However, associations between indices of obesity and lipoprotein subfractions remain undetermined across different ethnic groups.Objective: This study aims to examine the associations of indices of obesity in Japanese Americans, African Americans, and Koreans with lipoprotein subfractions.Methods: A population-based sample of 230 Japanese American, 91 African American, and 291 Korean men ages 40 to 49 was examined for indices of obesity—that is, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT, respectively); waist circumference; and body mass index—and for lipoprotein subfractions by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multiple regression analyses were performed in each of the 3 ethnic groups to examine the associations of each index of obesity with lipoprotein.Conclusions: VAT had significant positive associations with total and small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a significant negative association with large high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in all 3 ethnicities (p < 0.01). SAT, waist circumference, and body mass index had significant positive associations with total and small LDL in only Japanese Americans and Koreans, whereas these indices had significant inverse associations with large HDL in all ethnic groups (p < 0.01). Compared with SAT, VAT had larger R2 values in the associations with total and small LDL and large HDL in all 3 ethnic groups. VAT is significantly associated with total and small LDL and large HDL in all 3 ethnic groups. The associations of SAT, waist circumference, and body mass index with lipoprotein subfractions are weaker than the associations of VAT in all 3 ethnic groups.

This case, as an important clinical reminder, will illustrate improvement of a patient's quality of life and care in chronic diseases through sexual history taking in the primary care setting. The case report also includes recommended investigation for erectile dysfunction (ED). Family physicians need to maintain awareness of sexual dysfunction as part of the history taking during a general medical investigation to avoid leaving sexual issues untreated including ED. If left untreated, ED can lead to psychological trauma, frustration and lower self-esteem. Additionally, ED is associated with major comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, psychological conditions and diabetes mellitus. Thus, appropriately identifying this medical condition may lead prompt diagnoses and treatment of other major diseases.