Effects of Systematic Intervention for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Follow-up and Smoking Cessation Rates and Changes of the Pulmonary Function: A 7-year Longitudinal Study in a Japanese Rural City.

Objective The early detection and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires comprehensive follow-up over a long period. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a comprehensive long-term intervention system developed by the COPD Task Force for a rural city in Japan during a 7-year period. Methods This prospective, community-based longitudinal study encompassed 2006-2013 in Matsuura City, Japan.

Value of systematic intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a regional Japanese city based on case detection rate and medical cost.

Objective: We established a COPD taskforce for early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and intervention. We implemented a pilot intervention with a prospective and longitudinal design in a regional city. This study evaluates the usefulness of the COPD taskforce and intervention based on COPD case detection rate and per capita medical costs.

Factors associated with the annual change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second of officially acknowledged victims of pollution-related illness in improved environments: a longitudinal study.

[Purpose] We examined factors affecting annual change in pulmonary function in residents previously exposed to air pollution in an area where pollution has been reduced and a long time period has elapsed. [Subjects and Methods] Data of 730 officially acknowledged victims of pollution-related illness from an annual survey during 2000 to 2009 were analyzed. The primary outcome was forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), along with factors such as age, body composition, smoking habits, respiratory symptoms, and classification of medical management (an index of the need for treatment).

Effect of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) intervention on COPD awareness in a regional city in Japan.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an intervention for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on COPD awareness in a regional city in Japan.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by the residents of the city of Matsuura, Japan. Residents (≥50 years) of the mainland in Matsuura were included in a COPD intervention project (mainland group), while residents of the islands district received no intervention due to geographical issues (island group).

Smoking aggravates the impaired pulmonary function of officially acknowledged female victims of air pollution of 40 years ago.

Air pollution due to industrial waste and tobacco smoke is detrimental to pulmonary function. However, the combined effects of air pollution and smoking on pulmonary function have not been investigated. We examined the combined effect of air pollution of 40 years ago and concurrent smoking on the pulmonary function of officially acknowledged female victims in Japan, because females are more susceptible to the adverse effects of both irritants than males.

Tobacco use among designated air pollution victims and its association with lung function and respiratory symptoms: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objectives: We sought to elucidate the long-term association of tobacco use and respiratory health in designated pollution victims with and without obstructive pulmonary defects.

Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: The register of pollution victims in Kurashiki, Japan.

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and dyspnea in air pollution-related respiratory disease.

Air pollution in Japan caused respiratory disease, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma, in many individuals in the 1960s. Although air pollution has decreased, many victims of air pollution-related respiratory disease are limited in their activities of daily living because of respiratory symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation in victims of air pollution-related chronic bronchitis or asthma.

Longitudinal study of respiratory function and symptoms in a non-smoking group of long-term officially-acknowledged victims of pollution-related illness.

Background: Air pollution is known to be a leading cause of respiratory symptoms. Many cross-sectional studies reported that air pollution caused respiratory disease in Japanese individuals in the 1960s. Japan has laws regulating air pollution levels and providing compensation for victims of pollution-related respiratory disease.

Air pollution irreversibly impairs lung function: a twenty-year follow-up of officially acknowledged victims in Japan.

Lung function is one of the strongest determinants of cardiopulmonary health and longevity. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with decreased lung function. We undertook a retrospective study to compare the long-term consequences of air pollution in two areas of Japan: Mizushima, Okayama Prefecture and Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Detection of airflow limitation using the 11-Q and pulmonary function tests.

Objective: To investigate whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening that combines screening with questionnaires and pulmonary function testing is a useful method for the early detection of COPD.

Methods: A total of 3,367 subjects over 50 years of age underwent COPD screening. Two thousand five hundred and seventy-two of these subjects underwent "Ningen Dock" (a Japanese-English term for annual health checkup) examinations, regularly-scheduled checkups or screenings in outpatient clinics.