Relationships between diabetes and medical and dental care costs: findings from a worksite cohort study in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between diabetes and medical and dental care costs from a 5-yr prospective observation of Japanese workers. The data were derived from health and dental examinations and health insurance claims of 4,086 workers aged 40-54 yr. At baseline, the subjects were assigned to four categories: known diabetes; undiagnosed diabetes; impaired fasting glucose (IFG); and non-diabetic.

[Continuing investigation of effect of toner and its by-product on human health and occupational health management of toner].

Objective: As there are reports that ultrafine particles are generated by thermal printer toner, and that mucosal irritation symptoms were observed in users. When printers were operated, we have been examining the effects of not only toner but its by-products on human health.

Methods: We conducted a review of epidemiological and animal data on toner and its by-products such as ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Cross-sectional study on respiratory effect of toner exposure.

In this baseline study, part of a cohort study to clarify the effect of toner exposure on the respiratory system, we surveyed 803 male toner workers and 802 referents with regard to their subjective respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray results. We also examined individual exposure history, current working conditions, and personal exposure levels to toner. There was a significantly higher prevalence of "coughing and sputum" related complaints among toner-exposed workers in the 30 and 40-year age groups.

Years of life lost due to cancer in a cohort study in Japan.

Background: We estimated the burden of cancer using mortality and years of life lost according to life tables in a cohort study in Japan.

Methods: A cohort of 13,270 subjects established in the late 1980s in Japan was followed annually for the vital status of all subjects until 2003. For subjects who died, the underlying cause of death was ascertained from the death certificate.

[New investigation of the effect of toner and its by-products on human health and occupational health management of toner].

We need a new investigation of the effect of not only toner but also of its by-products on human health, because of the generation of fine particles and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the process of photocopy. Therefore, we gathered epidemiological and animal data on toner and its by-products, and examined the occupational health management of toner. We examined the effect of carbonblack as the main component of toner, and titanium dioxide and amorphous silica as surface-adhesive nanomaterials, and VOC on human health, and reviewed them.

Fish intake and the risk of fatal prostate cancer: findings from a cohort study in Japan.

Objective: We investigated the relationship between the intake of fish and the risk of death from prostate cancer.

Design: Data were derived from a prospective cohort study in Japan. Fish consumption obtained from a baseline questionnaire was classified into the two categories of 'low intake' and 'high intake'.

Perception in relation to a potential influenza pandemic among healthcare workers in Japan: implications for preparedness.

Due to the potential for an influenza pandemic, preparedness for infection control in healthcare settings is essential from the standpoint of occupational health for healthcare workers. We conducted questionnaire surveys among Japanese hospitals to assess preparedness at the individual and institutional levels and their inter-relationship. Questionnaires were administered at 7 tertiary hospitals in Japan during the spring of 2006.

The effect of periodontal disease on medical and dental costs in a middle-aged Japanese population: a longitudinal worksite study.

Background: Although periodontal disease is one of the most common chronic diseases, it is not clear whether periodontal disease is associated with increased health care costs. The authors examined the effect of periodontal disease on medical and dental costs and use for 3.5 years prospectively.

Mortality attributable to cigarette smoking in a cohort study in Japan.

We conducted this study to estimate the association and population attributable risk (PAR) of smoking with all-cause and cause-specific mortality based on a general prospective cohort study in Japan. A total of 8,129 subjects (3,996 males and 4,133 females) aged 40 or over were analyzed. The follow-up period was from 1986 to 2003.

A prospective study of green tea consumption and oral cancer incidence in Japan.

Purpose: To examine the relation of green tea consumption with oral carcinogenesis, we prospectively analyzed data from a nationwide large-scale cohort study in Japan.

Methods: A total of 20,550 men and 29,671 women aged 40-79 years, without any history of oral and pharyngeal cancer at baseline survey, were included in the present study. During a mean follow-up period of 10.

[Relationship between lifestyle and subjective symptoms in a food products company].

Although the relationship between lifestyle and subjective symptoms has been reported in the general population, relatively few studies have looked at the link between these two in workplace. To investigate the relationship between lifestyle and subjective symptoms, a cross-sectional study was carried out using data from 4,540 workers aged 20-69 years old in a food products company. The subjective symptoms with a prevalence of more than 10% in either males or females were selected as dependent variables: fatigue, dropsical swelling of hands or feet, stiff neck or shoulders, backpain, deterioration of eye sight, dizziness, diarrhea and constipation.

Mortality and risk factors for stroke and its subtypes in a cohort study in Japan.

Objective: To estimate stroke mortality and evaluate risk factors for total stroke deaths and its two principal subtypes in a cohort study in Japan.

Methods: A total of 9651 subjects aged 40 or over and free of stroke were analyzed in a cohort study conducted in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The follow-up period was from 1986 to 2003.

Association of psychological well-being with oral conditions in Japanese workers.

Although the effect of disorders on psychological well-being is well-known, there are few studies focusing on oral conditions at the worksite. The present study examined the association between psychological well-being and oral conditions of Japanese workers. A cross-sectional study was performed using data from 1381 Japanese civil service officers aged 20-59 yr old.

The Japanese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)--validation among young and middle-aged adults.

Objective: To validate the Japanese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-J) for use among young and middle-aged adults. Evaluating the criterion validity was particularly important in this study.

Method: The original Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) was translated into Japanese.

Prospective study of vegetable consumption and liver cancer in Japan.

We examined the relationship between vegetable consumption and the risk of death from liver cancer in a cohort study in Japan. This analysis is based on data from 6,049 subjects aged 40 to 79 years enrolled in a cohort study conducted in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The follow-up period was from 1986 to 1999.

Visual display terminal work and sick building syndrome--the role of psychosocial distress in the relationship.

The present study investigated the association between visual display terminal (VDT) work and sick building syndrome (SBS) and the role of psychosocial factors in the relationship. Subjects were 2,161 Japanese office workers who responded to a cross-sectional anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey. Questions included were derived from the Miljömedicin 040, a validated questionnaire on SBS symptoms.

Cigarette smoking and mortality due to stomach cancer: findings from the JACC Study.

Background: Several epidemiologic studies reported the positive association between cigarette smoking and stomach cancer. The prevalence of smoking in men remains high in Japan compared to other developed countries. It is therefore of great importance to determine the impact of cigarette smoking on stomach cancer among the Japanese population.

A nationwide cohort study of educational background and major causes of death among the elderly population in Japan.

Background: This prospective cohort study examined the association between educational level and major causes of death in Japan.

Method: A baseline survey was conducted between 1988 and 1990 among 110,792 inhabitants of 45 areas aged 40-79 years. Follow-up surveys were conducted annually and causes of death were identified from death certificates.

[Relationships between participation of national-health-insurance members in a health education program and exercise habits, medical expenses and other related parameters].

Purpose: This study was conducted with the aim of multi-faceted evaluation of a health education program, "Genki-jaya", run at Fukushima City Health and Welfare Center.

Methods: "Genki-jaya" is a health education program including individual health instructions combined with group education on exercises as well as diet. A total of 55 participants completed the program through December 1999 to March 2001.

[Health-related lifestyle and mental health among inhabitants of a city in Japan].

Aim: Few studies have linked mental health to lifestyle factors in the Japanese general population. The present investigation was conducted to examine whether mental health is associated with a health-related lifestyle and how the strength of the association, if any, differs across sex and age groups, using health survey data for inhabitants of Japan.

Methods: The data used were obtained from a questionnaire survey on lifestyle and health.

[Relationship between intake of sweet drinks and candies and oral health status in the adult population].

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between intake of sweets (sweet drinks/candies of chewing gum) and oral health status, while adjusting for age and other dental health behavior.

Methods: The data used were based on a cross-sectional study regarding dental checkup of a worksite. Of a total of 7,713 workers, 5,232 (67.

[Relationship between cigarette smoking and oral health status].

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the smoking habit and oral health status, while adjusting for age and some aspects of dental health behavior. The data used were based on a cross-sectional study on dental checkup in the worksite, which included a self-reported questionnaire and oral examination by a dentist. The oral health status variables were CPITN scores, missing teeth/filled teeth/decayed teeth, and self-reported gum bleeding.