Twelve-year cumulative incidence of airflow obstruction among Japanese males.

Background: To date, there is very limited longitudinal data on COPD and incidence estimates in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the 12-year cumulative incidence of airflow obstruction (COPD) in Japanese males.

Methods: This study included 913 male subjects, aged 30-76 years, who underwent lung function tests at a medical check-up in 1994 (baseline), 1999, and 2006.

Association between airflow obstruction and the metabolic syndrome or its components in Japanese men.

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between airflow obstruction and the metabolic syndrome (MS) or its components in Japanese men.

Methods: The study included 7,189 male subjects, aged 45-88 years, who underwent spirometric lung function tests at a medical check-up. The spirometric criteria for diagnosis of airflow obstruction were forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%.

Correlation of C-reactive protein with disease severity in CT diagnosed emphysema.

Background And Objective: Recent studies suggest that CRP levels are related to airflow obstruction. However, limited data exist on the relevance of CRP levels in individuals with or without emphysema. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the extent of emphysema, COPD severity and serum CRP levels.

Prevalence of changes in undiagnosed glucose intolerance according to age and gender in Japanese middle-aged working people.

Background: Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) have important health consequences.

Methods And Results: To examine the prevalence of undiagnosed glucose intolerance, oral glucose tolerance tests were administered to 1,142 consecutively enrolled middle-aged subjects (age range 40-55 years; 914 men, mean 50.7 years; 228 women, mean 49.

Case report of intralobar pulmonary sequestration detected by lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral CT.

A 52-year-old man underwent lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) in a medical check-up at the Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Health Care Center. He was asymptomatic. Chest x-ray on a medical check-up showed no abnormal shadows.

Prevalence of airflow limitation on medical check-up in Japanese subjects.

The prevalence and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to increase in the future throughout the world. Little data is available on the prevalence of airflow limitation in Japan, especially on medical check-up. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of airflow limitation in Japanese subjects during medical check-ups.

Emphysema detected by lung cancer screening with low-dose spiral CT: prevalence, and correlation with smoking habits and pulmonary function in Japanese male subjects.

Objective: Screening with low-dose spiral CT is a promising new tool for early lung cancer detection. A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of emphysema detected by CT screening, and to assess the correlation between the extent of emphysema and the severity defined according to the recently published Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria.

Methods: After informed consent, CT screening and pulmonary function tests were performed on 615 men between the ages of 40 and 69.