Effectiveness of self-sampling human papillomavirus test on precancer detection and screening uptake in Japan: The ACCESS randomized controlled trial.

Japan is lagging in cervical cancer prevention. The effectiveness of a self-sampling human papillomavirus (HPV) test, a possible measure to overcome this situation, has not yet been evaluated. A randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-sampling HPV test on detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) and screening uptake.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on primary and metastatic lung cancer treatments in Japan: A nationwide study using an interrupted time series analysis.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic prompted healthcare providers to use different approaches from the current standards of care. We aimed to identify the changes in the number of treatments for primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic lung cancer during the pandemic.

Methods: We used nationwide insurance claims data from January 2015 to January 2021, and estimated changes in the number of treatments using an interrupted time series analysis.

Acceptability of self-sampling human papillomavirus test for cervical cancer screening in Japan: A questionnaire survey in the ACCESS trial.

Purpose: In terms of medical policy for cervical cancer prevention, Japan lags far behind other industrialized countries. We initiated a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the self-sampling human papillomavirus (HPV) test as a tool to raise screening uptake and detection of pre-cancer. This study was conducted to explore the acceptability and preference of self-sampling using a subset of the data from this trial.

Changes in colorectal cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: Interrupted time-series analysis using the National Database of Japan.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced us to accept changes in our usual diagnostic procedures and treatments for colorectal cancer. This study aimed to determine the impact of the pandemic on colorectal cancer treatment in Japan.

Methods: The number of colorectal surgeries, stoma constructions, stent placements or long tube insertions, and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapies were determined each month using sampling datasets from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on breast cancer surgery using the National Database of Japan.

Various countries have reported a decrease in breast cancer surgeries during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, inconsistent results have been reported in Japan. This study revealed changes in the number of surgeries during the pandemic using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) from January 2015 to January 2021, where insurance claims data from Japan as a whole are comprehensively accumulated. The number of breast-conserving surgeries (BCS) without axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) significantly decreased in July (- 846; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1190 to - 502) and October 2020 (- 540; 95% CI - 861 to - 218).

Changes in the number of cancer diagnosis practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic: interrupted time-series analysis using the National Database of Japan.

Purpose: This study aimed to reveal the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the number of practices commonly used for cancer diagnosis in Japan.

Methods: The sampling dataset of the National Database of Japan from January 2015 to January 2021 was used to generate 25-point time-series data for the number of practices (21 points before and 4 points during the pandemic outbreak). The decreased number was estimated by interrupted time-series analysis using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model.

Implementation of a self-sampling HPV test for non-responders to cervical cancer screening in Japan: secondary analysis of the ACCESS trial.

A self-sampling human papillomavirus (HPV) test could improve the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer in Japan. However, its effectiveness and feasibility have not been demonstrated sufficiently. Hence, we launched a randomized controlled trial, which is ongoing, and report the results of a secondary analysis.

Cost-effectiveness of managing HBV reactivation in patients with resolved HBV infection treated with anti-CD20 antibody for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

There is no universal recommendation for managing the reactivation of HBV in patients with resolved HBV infection treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of two commonly used strategies: prophylactic anti-HBV nucleos(t)ide analog therapy (Pro NAT), and HBV DNA monitoring followed by on-demand antiviral therapy (HBV DNA monitoring). Using a decision tree model, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained was calculated.

Additional outreach effort of providing an opportunity to obtain a kit for fecal immunochemical test during the general health check-up to improve colorectal cancer screening rate in Japan: A longitudinal study.

Objectives: A sufficient screening rate is indispensable to optimize the positive impact of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an additional outreach of providing an opportunity to obtain a kit for fecal immunochemical test (FIT) during the general health check-up to increase CRC screening rate.

Methods: This was a longitudinal study using pre-existing data in Kujukuri Town, Japan.

Early induction and increased risk of precursor B-cell neoplasms after exposure of infant or young-adult mice to ionizing radiation.

Epidemiological studies of atomic-bomb survivors have revealed an increased risk of lymphoid neoplasm (i.e. acute lymphoblastic leukemia) associated with radiation exposure.

Handheld flow meter improves COPD detectability regardless of using a conventional questionnaire: A split-sample validation study.

Background And Objective: Improved detectability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a handheld flow meter (HFM) with symptom-based questionnaires has not been sufficiently evaluated. This study aimed to identify the benefit of using an HFM in COPD screening.

Methods: A total of 2008 participants, who were ≥ 40 years of age, from Isumi City, Japan, were recruited.

Inequality within a community at the neighborhood level and the incidence of mood disorders in Japan: a multilevel analysis.

Purpose: This study analyzes whether income inequality within a community at the neighborhood level is associated with incidence of mood disorder in Japan.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the data of 116,658 National Health Insurance beneficiaries aged between 20 and 69 in Chiba City, Japan. To evaluate income inequality within a community, the Gini coefficient within a 30-min walking distance from an individual's residence was calculated using income distribution estimated by the National Census and the Housing and Land Survey 2013.

Chronological changes in epidemiological characteristics of lower urinary tract urolithiasis in Japan.

Objectives: To determine changes and trends in the annual incidence and epidemiological aspects of lower urinary tract stones in Japan.

Methods: Data about patients who had been diagnosed by urologists in 2015 with first and recurrent lower urinary tract stones were collected from 301 hospitals approved by the Japanese Board of Urology. The estimated annual incidence according to sex, age and stone composition was compared with previous nationwide surveys between 1965 and 2005.

Medical costs attributable to overweight and obesity in Japanese individuals.

Objective: We aimed to reveal the association between body mass index (BMI) and medical costs in the current Japanese population, and to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of medical costs due to overweight and obesity.

Methods: A generalized linear mixed model with log link function and gamma distribution was used to evaluate the association between BMI and medical costs in 34,537 beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance aged 40-69 years in Chiba City. Medical cost data were obtained from insurance claims submitted between April 2012 and March 2016.

Chronological changes in the epidemiological characteristics of upper urinary tract urolithiasis in Japan.

Objectives: To assess epidemiological and chronological trends of upper urinary tract stones in Japan in 2015.

Methods: Patients with a first episode of upper urinary tract stones in 2015 were enrolled in this nationwide survey. The study included all hospitals approved by the Japanese Board of Urology, therefore covering most of the hospitals where urologists practice in Japan.

Income-Related Inequalities in Access to Dental Care Services in Japan.

: This study aimed to evaluate whether income-related inequalities in access to dental care services exist in Japan. : The subjects included beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Chiba City, Japan, who had been enrolled from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. The presence or absence of dental visits and number of days spent on dental care services during the year were calculated using insurance claims submitted.

Impact of geographic accessibility on utilization of the annual health check-ups by income level in Japan: A multilevel analysis.

Although both geographic accessibility and socioeconomic status have been indicated as being important factors for the utilization of health care services, their combined effect has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to reveal whether an income-dependent difference in the impact of geographic accessibility on the utilization of government-led annual health check-ups exists. Existing data collected and provided by Chiba City Hall were employed and analyzed as a retrospective cohort study.

Survey of motivation to participate in a birth cohort.

For a longitudinal prospective cohort study to be successful, participants' motivation to provide information must be maintained. Therefore, this study aimed to identify items that effectively promote participants' motivation. Questionnaires were mailed to 4541 mothers and expectant mothers in Chiba Prefecture, Japan who participated in a nationwide birth cohort.

Income Related Inequality of Health Care Access in Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to analyze the association between income level and health care access in Japan. Data from a total of 222,259 subjects (age range, 0-74 years) who submitted National Health Insurance claims in Chiba City from April 2012 to March 2014 and who declared income for the tax period from January 1 to December 31, 2012 were integrated and analyzed. The generalized estimating equation, in which household was defined as a cluster, was used to evaluate the association between equivalent income and utilization and duration of hospitalization and outpatient care services.

Validity assessment of self-reported medication use by comparing to pharmacy insurance claims.

Objectives: In Japan, an annual health check-up and health promotion guidance programme was established in 2008 in accordance with the Act on Assurance of Medical Care for the Elderly. A self-reported questionnaire on medication use is a required item in this programme and has been used widely, but its validity has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of this questionnaire by comparing self-reported usage to pharmacy insurance claims.

Predictive power of a body shape index for development of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in Japanese adults: a retrospective cohort study.

Background/objectives: Recently, a body shape index (ABSI) was reported to predict all-cause mortality independently of body mass index (BMI) in Americans. This study aimed to evaluate whether ABSI is applicable to Japanese adults as a predictor for development of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Subjects/methods: We evaluated the predictive power of ABSI in a retrospective cohort study using annual health examination data from Chiba City Hall in Japan, for the period 2008 to 2012.

High saturated fatty acid intake induces insulin secretion by elevating gastric inhibitory polypeptide levels in healthy individuals.

Insulin resistance is central to the etiology of the metabolic syndrome cluster of diseases. Evidence suggests that a high-fat diet is associated with insulin resistance, which may be modulated by dietary fatty acid composition. We hypothesized that high saturated fatty acid intake increases insulin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) secretion.