Toru Takebayashi

Publications of Toru Takebayashi

• Sunlight Exposure May Be a Risk Factor of Hearing Impairment: A Community-Based Study in Japanese Older Men and Women.

  Authors: Takehiro Michikawa, Yuji Nishiwaki, Keiko Asakura, Greg Hillebrand, Kukizo Miyamoto, Masaji Ono, Yoshihide Kinjo, Suminori Akiba, Toru Takebayashi

  The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 04/2012;

  BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathology of age-related hearing loss. Recent animal studies have reported that ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is related to systemicBACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathology of age-related hearing loss. Recent animal studies have reported that ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is related to systemic induction of oxidative stress. Chronic sun exposure leads to photodamaged skin, which is manifested as facial skin wrinkling and hyperpigmentation. We hypothesized that sunlight exposure, as assessed by the severity of facial skin photodamage, might be associated with hearing impairment through an oxidative stress mechanism. To examine this, we performed a cross-sectional analysis by using the baseline data from a community-based cohort study of older Japanese. METHODS: A total of 805 residents (342 men and 463 women) aged 65 years or older living in Kurabuchi Town, Gunma prefecture, Japan, were examined between 2005 and 2006. Facial skin condition was quantified by image analysis of standardized facial images. Hearing impairment was defined as a failure to hear a 30-dB signal at 1 kHz and a 40-dB signal at 4 kHz in the better ear in pure-tone audiometric tests. RESULTS: In men, facial wrinkle was positively associated with hearing impairment (for highest vs lowest: multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-4.66; p for trend = .01). Stratified analysis by age, educational level, smoking status, sunscreen or foundation use, and diabetes showed results similar to those for men as a whole. This association was particularly pronounced in men with the low levels of antioxidants and without occupational noise exposure. We observed no apparent association in women. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that chronic sun exposure is a risk factor of hearing impairment.

• Effects of family history on inflammatory bowel disease characteristics in Japanese patients.

  Authors: Erika Kuwahara, Keiko Asakura, Yuji Nishiwaki, Nagamu Inoue, Mamoru Watanabe, Toshifumi Hibi, Toru Takebayashi

  Journal of gastroenterology. 03/2012;

  BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is reported to have reached a plateau in Western countries, it is increasing in Asia. The etiology of IBD is still underBACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is reported to have reached a plateau in Western countries, it is increasing in Asia. The etiology of IBD is still under investigation. We performed an epidemiological study to clarify the characteristics of IBD in Japan, focusing on patients' family history. METHODS: We obtained clinical data on ulcerative colitis (UC) (46,114 cases) and Crohn's disease (CD) (11,305 cases) in 2007 from an electronic database maintained under the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's nationwide registry system, and analyzed the differences in disease characteristics between patients with IBD who had a family history of the disease and those who did not. RESULTS: A total of 2.7% of the patients with UC and 2.6% of those with CD had a family history. The present age and age at disease onset were lower among the patients with UC who had a family history than among those without (present age: p < 0.001; age at disease onset: p < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U-test), but no similar trend was observed in the patients with CD. Disease severity was worse among both the UC and CD patients with a family history. The clinical course of patients with UC was not affected by family history. Levels of independence in daily life were associated with family history among CD patients, whereas age was associated with levels of independence in daily life among UC patients. CONCLUSION: Disease characteristics of IBD vary in some aspects according to the presence or absence of a family history.

• Maximum occlusal force and physical performance in the oldest old: the Tokyo oldest old survey on total health.

  Authors: Toshimitsu Iinuma, Yasumichi Arai, Motoko Fukumoto, Michiyo Takayama, Yukiko Abe, Keiko Asakura, Yuji Nishiwaki, Toru Takebayashi, Takashi Iwase, Kazuo Komiyama, Nobuhito Gionhaku, Nobuyoshi Hirose

  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 12/2011; 60(1):68-76.

  To elucidate the independent relationship between masticatory and physical performance in community-living oldest old people (mean age ± standard deviation 87.8 ± 2.2, range 85-102). Cross-sectionalTo elucidate the independent relationship between masticatory and physical performance in community-living oldest old people (mean age ± standard deviation 87.8 ± 2.2, range 85-102). Cross-sectional analysis. University research center or home-based examination. Four hundred eighty-nine community-living individuals (219 men, 270 women) aged 85 and older. Maximum occlusal force (MOF) was measured using an occlusal force measuring device. Sociodemographic and functional factors, oral health, comorbidities, blood chemistry, lower extremity performance, and handgrip strength were assessed. Blood chemistry analyses included serum albumin, C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, and total and free testosterone. MOF was significantly associated with age, body mass index, and cognitive impairment in men but not in women. Comorbidities and blood chemistry were not associated with MOF except for a significant association with IL-6 concentration in women. In a multivariate model adjusted for various confounders, lower MOF was associated with greater risk for poor performance on the timed up and go (TUG) test in men and women (men: odds ratio (OR)=2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.02-5.38; women: OR=2.44, 95% CI=1.12-5.33). MOF was similarly associated with performance in chair standing, one-leg standing, and handgrip strength only in men. These associations remained after adjustment for number of natural teeth. MOF was strongly and independently associated with all measures of physical performance in men and with the TUG test in women after adjustment for various confounders, suggesting that age-related declines in masticatory and skeletal muscle functions share common mechanistic pathways in older age, particularly in men.

• Relationship between Dietary and Other Lifestyle Habits and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Men.

  Authors: Sayuri Katano, Yasuyuki Nakamura, Nagako Okuda, Yoshitaka Murakami, Nagako Chiba, Katsushi Yoshita, Taichiro Tanaka, Junko Tamaki, Toru Takebayashi, Akira Okayama, Katsuyuki Miura, Tomonori Okamura, Hirotsugu Ueshima

  Diabetology & metabolic syndrome. 11/2011; 3:30.

  ABSTRACT: Prevalence of men with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) is increasing in Japan. Few studies have comprehensively examined the relation between lifestyles and CMRF. We examined theABSTRACT: Prevalence of men with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) is increasing in Japan. Few studies have comprehensively examined the relation between lifestyles and CMRF. We examined the baseline data from 3,498 male workers ages 19 to 69 years who participated in the high-risk and population strategy for occupational health promotion (HIPOP-OHP) study at 12 large-scale companies throughout Japan. The physical activity of each participant was classified according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Dietary intake was surveyed by a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. We defined four CMRF in this study as follows: 1) high blood pressure (BP): systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg, or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive drugs; 2) dyslipidemia: high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration < 40 mg/dl, or triglycerides concentration ≥ 150 mg/dl, or on medication for dyslipidemia; 3) impaired glucose tolerance: fasting blood sugar concentration ≥110 mg/dl; 4) obese: a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. Those who had 0 to 4 CMRF accounted for 1,597 (45.7%), 1,032 (29.5%), 587 (16.8%), 236 (6.7%), and 44 (1.3%) participants, respectively, in the Poisson distribution. Poisson regression analysis revealed that independent factors that contributed to the number of CMRF were age (b = 0.020, P < 0.01), IPAQ (b = -0.091, P < 0.01), alcohol intake (ml/day) (b = 0.001, P = 0.03), percentage of protein intake (b = 0.059, P = 0.01), and total energy intake (kcal)(b = 0.0001, P < 0.01). Furthermore, alcohol intake and its frequency had differential effects. Alcohol intake, percent protein and total energy intake were positively associated, whereas drinking frequency and IPAQ were inversely associated, with the number of CMRF.

• Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in Japan: Koumi study.

  Authors: Miki Uchino, Yuji Nishiwaki, Takehiro Michikawa, Kazuhiro Shirakawa, Erika Kuwahara, Mutsuko Yamada, Murat Dogru, Debra A Schaumberg, Tetsuya Kawakita, Toru Takebayashi, Kazuo Tsubota

  Ophthalmology. 09/2011; 118(12):2361-7.

  To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease (DED) in a rural setting in Japan. Cross-sectional study. We included 3294 subjects, aged ≥ 40 years who were in the residentialTo estimate the prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease (DED) in a rural setting in Japan. Cross-sectional study. We included 3294 subjects, aged ≥ 40 years who were in the residential registry for Koumi town. Subjects in a rural mountain area, Koumi town, completed questionnaires designed to detect dry eye diagnosis and risk factors. Clinically diagnosed DED was defined as the presence of a previous clinical diagnosis of DED by ophthalmologists or severe symptoms of DED (both dryness and irritation constantly or often). Current symptoms of DED and possible risk factors such as age, gender, educational history, smoking history, alcohol drinking history, height and weight, visual display terminal (VDT) use, and contact lens (CL) wear, and past/current history of certain common systemic diseases were the main outcome measures. We used logistic regression analysis to examine associations between DED and other demographic factors. Of the 3294 eligible residents, 2791 residents (85%) completed the questionnaire. The percentage of women with a composite outcome of clinically diagnosed DED or severe symptoms (21.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 19.5-23.9) was higher than that of men (12.5%; 95% CI, 10.7-14.5; P<0.001). A low body mass index (BMI; odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% CI, 0.98-4.39), CL use (OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.46-10.10), and hypertension (HT) (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.94-2.06) were risk factors for DED in men. Use of a VDT (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.12-4.85), CL use (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 2.13-6.10), and myocardial infarction or angina were the risk factors (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.51-4.62), whereas high BMI was a preventive factor (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-1.01) for DED in women. Among a Japanese cohort, DED leading to a clinical diagnosis or severe symptoms is prevalent. Use of CLs was a common dry eye risk factor in both genders. The condition is more prevalent in men with low BMI, HT, and in women with myocardial infarction or angina and VDT use. Relevant measures directed against the modifiable risks may provide a positive impact on public health and quality of life of Japanese. The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

• Are you conscious of any age-related taste impairment? Prevalence of and factors associated with taste impairment in Japan.

  Authors: Takehiro Michikawa, Yuji Nishiwaki, Toru Takebayashi

  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 05/2011; 59(5):951-3.

• Body mass index misclassification due to kyphotic posture in Japanese community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older.

  Authors: Yuji Nishiwaki, Takehiro Michikawa, Norihito Eto, Toru Takebayashi

  The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 03/2011; 66(3):326-31.

  In older adults, kyphosis (slouching posture) can lead to underestimation of height, which may in turn lead to overestimation of body mass index (BMI). We investigated the extent to which inaccurateIn older adults, kyphosis (slouching posture) can lead to underestimation of height, which may in turn lead to overestimation of body mass index (BMI). We investigated the extent to which inaccurate BMI assessments led to misclassification of elderly people as normal weight (when they were actually underweight) or overweight (actually normal weight). Anthropometric measurements were taken in 2005 and 2006 for 842 residents aged 65 years or older (women: 491; men: 351). We calculated BMI from measured height and weight (observed BMI) and then predicted BMI from height as determined by demi-span, which is unaffected by kyphosis (predicted BMI). Kyphosis was assessed by the number of blocks placed under the occiput required for the supine participant to achieve a neutral head position. Participants were classified as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight, or overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0) according to both observed and predicted BMI; classification accordance was investigated by cross-tabulation. Kyphosis was present in 17.2% of the participants overall and in 23.6% of those aged 75 years or older. Predicted BMI measurements showed that 11% of participants with kyphosis requiring ≥ 3 blocks were misclassified as normal weight and that 10% were erroneously classified as overweight. In those aged 75 years or older, the corresponding figures were 15% and 12%. Our results suggest that inaccurate BMIs due to kyphosis lead to substantial numbers of older adults being misclassified as normal weight or overweight, which can cause significant distortions in data on the impact of underweight and overweight on health outcomes.

• Knee pain and future self-reliance in older adults: evidence from a community-based 3-year cohort study in Japan.

  Authors: Yuji Nishiwaki, Takehiro Michikawa, Mutsuko Yamada, Norihito Eto, Toru Takebayashi

  Journal of epidemiology / Japan Epidemiological Association. 03/2011; 21(3):184-90.

  Although knee pain is common in older persons and can cause ambulatory limitation, its impact on self-reliance has rarely been examined in Japan, particularly in a community setting. The aim of thisAlthough knee pain is common in older persons and can cause ambulatory limitation, its impact on self-reliance has rarely been examined in Japan, particularly in a community setting. The aim of this 3-year cohort study was to investigate the association of knee pain with dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) and mortality in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. In 2005, presence of knee pain was assessed by a home visit survey of 1391 older adults aged 65 years or older (participation proportion = 97.3%). A total of 1265 participants who were ADL-independent at baseline were followed for 3 years, and information on outcomes, namely death and dependence in ADL, was collected. Participants who always had knee pain were more likely to become dependent in ADL than those who reported no knee pain (multivariate-adjusted OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.03-3.83); however, always having knee pain was not associated with mortality or a composite outcome of ADL dependence and death. Further analyses of each component of ADL dependence revealed that knee pain was associated with a need for assistance at home (long-term care eligibility, bathing, dressing, and transferring), but not with institutionalization. The participants were highly representative of the target population and the rate of follow-up was almost perfect (99.4%). The results suggest that knee pain is associated with future dependence in ADL, particularly a need for assistance at home.

• Relationship between sleep duration and clustering of metabolic syndrome diagnostic components.

  Authors: Sayuri Katano, Yasuyuki Nakamura, Aki Nakamura, Yoshitaka Murakami, Taichiro Tanaka, Toru Takebayashi, Akira Okayama, Katsuyuki Miura, Tomonori Okamura, Hirotsugu Ueshima

  Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy. 01/2011; 4:119-25.

  To examine the relation between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We examined the baseline data from 4356 healthy workers (3556 men and 800 women) aged 19-69 years. The physical activityTo examine the relation between sleep duration and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We examined the baseline data from 4356 healthy workers (3556 men and 800 women) aged 19-69 years. The physical activity of each participant was classified according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We defined four components of MetS diagnostic components in this study as follows: 1) high blood pressure (BP) systolic BP [SBP] ≥ 130 mmHg, or diastolic BP [DBP] ≥ 85 mmHg, or on medication; 2) dyslipidemia (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration <40 mg/dL, or triglycerides concentration ≥150 mg/dL, or on medication; 3) impaired glucose tolerance (fasting blood sugar concentration ≥ 110 mg/dL, or if less than 8 hours after meals ≥ 140 mg/dL), or on medication; and 4) overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m(2)), or obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). There were 680 participants in the group, with sleep duration <6 hours (15.6%). Those who had 0-4 MetS diagnostic components, including overweight, accounted for 2159, 1222, 674, 255, and 46 participants, respectively, in the Poisson distribution. Poisson regression analysis revealed that independent factors that contributed to the number of MetS diagnostic components were being male (regression coefficient b = 0.752, P < 0.001), age (b = 0.026, P < 0.001), IPAQ classification (b = -0.238, P = 0.034), and alcohol intake (mL/day) (b = 0.018, P < 0.001). Short sleep duration (<6 hours) was also related to the number of MetS (b = 0.162, P < 0.001). The results of analyses with obesity component showed a similar association. Short sleep duration was positively associated with the number of MetS diagnostic components independent of other lifestyle habits.

• Etiological difference between ultrashort- and short-segment Barrett's esophagus.

  Authors: Juntaro Matsuzaki, Hidekazu Suzuki, Keiko Asakura, Yoshimasa Saito, Kenro Hirata, Toru Takebayashi, Toshifumi Hibi

  Journal of gastroenterology. 12/2010; 46(3):332-8.

  Barrett's esophagus has been divided into three categories based on the extent of the metaplasia: long-segment (LSBE), short-segment (SSBE), and ultrashort-segment Barrett's esophagus (USBE). WhileBarrett's esophagus has been divided into three categories based on the extent of the metaplasia: long-segment (LSBE), short-segment (SSBE), and ultrashort-segment Barrett's esophagus (USBE). While both LSBE and SSBE are thought to be induced by gastroesophageal reflux, the etiology of USBE is still unclear. We conducted a case-control study to identify the differences in the pathogenesis between SSBE and USBE in a hospital-based population. The endoscopic findings and clinical factors of 199 patients with short-segment endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (SS-ESEM) and 317 patients with ultrashort-segment ESEM (US-ESEM) were compared with those of 199 and 317 age- and gender-matched patients without ESEM. The severity of gastric mucosal atrophy was marginally associated with the presence of US-ESEM [odds ratio (OR) 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-1.46, p = 0.08], but not with that of SS-ESEM. On the other hand, the presence of gallstones and that of severe reflux esophagitis were associated with the presence of SS-ESEM (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.21-3.98; OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.08-2.75), but not with that of US-ESEM. Presence of gastric corpus atrophy without gallstones was associated with the presence of US-ESEM, but not with that of SS-ESEM. Presence of gastric corpus atrophy was associated with an increased likelihood of the presence of US-ESEM, whereas the presence of gallstones was associated with an increased likelihood of the presence of SS-ESEM, suggesting difference in etiology between US- and SS-ESEM.

• Vitamin D deficiency and lifestyle factors in the oldest old.

  Authors: Chieko Sumiya, Yasumichi Arai, Michiyo Takayama, Yukiko Abe, Nobuyoshi Hirose, Keiko Asakura, Yuji Nishiwaki, Toru Takebayashi

  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 11/2010; 58(11):2242-4.

• Target biopsy or step biopsy? Optimal surveillance for ulcerative colitis: a Japanese nationwide randomized controlled trial.

  Authors: Toshiaki Watanabe, Yoichi Ajioka, Takayuki Matsumoto, Naoki Tomotsugu, Toru Takebayashi, Eisuke Inoue, Bunei Iizuka, Masahiro Igarashi, Yasushi Iwao, Kazuo Ohtsuka [......] Miwa Sada, Ichiro Hirata, Kazunari Murakami, Masakazu Nagahori, Kenji Watanabe, Nobuyuki Hida, Fumiaki Ueno, Shinji Tanaka, Mamoru Watanabe, Toshifumi Hibi

  Journal of gastroenterology. 11/2010; 46 Suppl 1:11-6.

  Colorectal cancer is one of the complications of ulcerative colitis (UC) and the risk of cancer increases as the duration of the disease becomes longer. Surveillance colonoscopy has been consideredColorectal cancer is one of the complications of ulcerative colitis (UC) and the risk of cancer increases as the duration of the disease becomes longer. Surveillance colonoscopy has been considered to be important for the early detection and early treatment of colorectal cancer, especially in longstanding UC. Because it is not always easy to detect neoplastic lesions in UC endoscopically, guidelines recommend the use of step biopsy in surveillance, in which either 4 biopsy specimens for every 10 cm or a total of 33 or more biopsy specimens are obtained. However, it has been pointed out that a step biopsy obtaining several tens of biopsy specimens may not be an ideal method in terms of invasiveness to the patient or medical cost. Instead of step biopsy, recent studies report the usefulness of target biopsy, in which biopsy tissues are obtained only from regions suspected of neoplasia. Therefore, the Research Group for Intractable Inflammatory Bowel Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan has initiated a randomized controlled study to compare the efficacy of step biopsy and target biopsy. The present article gives an introduction to this ongoing randomized controlled trial in Japan.

• Conception outcomes and opinions about pregnancy for men with inflammatory bowel disease.

  Authors: Asaka Sato, Makoto Naganuma, Keiko Asakura, Yuji Nishiwaki, Tomoharu Yajima, Tadakazu Hisamatsu, Yasushi Iwao, Toru Takebayashi, Mamoru Watanabe, Toshifumi Hibi

  Journal of Crohn's & colitis. 06/2010; 4(2):183-8.

  Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who want to have children are anxious to receive medical treatment. The consensus regarding pregnancy has not been surveyed for male IBD patients. ThePatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who want to have children are anxious to receive medical treatment. The consensus regarding pregnancy has not been surveyed for male IBD patients. The present study was investigated opinions among male IBD patients about pregnancy, conception and neonatal outcomes for partners. Subjects comprised 364 of 386 patients enrolled (94.3%). Subjects received a questionnaire regarding their opinions and thoughts about pregnancy. The course of partner's conceptions and presence of neonatal malformations was also surveyed. The rate of live births for partners of male IBD patients was 91.6% (219/239). Most patients with CD (29/33; 88%) had their children after surgery had been performed. The rate of expressing hopes to have a child tended to be higher for patients with UC (93/128; 73%) than for patients with CD (61/97; 63%; p=0.21). Furthermore, the rate of hesitation was significantly higher in CD patients (34/107; 32%) than in UC patients (38/188; 20%; p=0.03).Patients considered that safety of medication (51%) and maintenance of remission (41%) was more important than receiving no treatment for IBD (19%) when planning to conceive. Mesalamine and infliximab were more favorable at conception than sulfasalazine and immunomodulators. This is the first report to survey the thinking of male IBD patients regarding pregnancy. Most male IBD patients considered "maintaining remission" as important at conception. Our study provides important information for IBD patients and for the treating physician when planning to conceive.

• Relationship among physical activity, smoking, drinking and clustering of the metabolic syndrome diagnostic components.

  Authors: Sayuri Katano, Yasuyuki Nakamura, Aki Nakamura, Yoshitaka Murakami, Taichiro Tanaka, Hideaki Nakagawa, Toru Takebayashi, Hiroshi Yamato, Akira Okayama, Katsuyuki Miura, Tomonori Okamura, Hirotsugu Ueshima

  Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. 04/2010; 17(6):644-50.

  To examine the relation between lifestyle and the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic components in a general population, and to find a means of preventing the development of MetSTo examine the relation between lifestyle and the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic components in a general population, and to find a means of preventing the development of MetS components. We examined baseline data from 3,365 participants (2,714 men and 651 women) aged 19 to 69 years who underwent a physical examination, lifestyle survey, and blood chemical examination. The physical activity of each participant was classified according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We defined four components for MetS in this study as follows: 1) high BP: systolic BP > or = 130 mmHg or diastolic BP > or = 85 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive drugs; 2) dyslipidemia: high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration < 40 mg/dL, triglycerides concentration > or = 150 mg/dL, or on medication for dyslipidemia; 3) Impaired glucose tolerance: fasting blood sugar level > or = 110 mg/d, or if less than 8 hours after meals > or = 140 mg/dL), or on medication for diabetes mellitus; 4) obesity: body mass index > or = 25 kg/m(2). Those who had 0 to 4 MetS diagnostic components accounted for 1,726, 949, 484, 190, and 16 participants, respectively, in the Poisson distribution. Poisson regression analysis revealed that independent factors contributing to the number of MetS diagnostic components were being male (regression coefficient b=0.600, p < 0.01), age (b=0.027, p < 0.01), IPAQ class (b=-0.272, p= 0.03), and alcohol consumption (b=0.020, p=0.01). The contribution of current smoking was not statistically significant (b=-0.067, p=0.76). Moderate physical activity was inversely associated with the number of MetS diagnostic components, whereas smoking was not associated.

• Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is comparable between inflammatory bowel disease patients and the general population.

  Authors: Masakazu Nagahori, Sea Bong Hyun, Teruji Totsuka, Ryuichi Okamoto, Erika Kuwahara, Toru Takebayashi, Makoto Naganuma, Mamoru Watanabe

  Journal of gastroenterology. 04/2010; 45(10):1008-13.

  Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its prevalence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remains largely unknown. This study wasMetabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its prevalence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remains largely unknown. This study was planned to determine the prevalence of MS in Japanese IBD patients. The prevalence of MS among outpatients with IBD aged 18 or older was studied using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. A total of 107 quiescent IBD patients, including 76 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 31 Crohn's disease (CD) patients, were studied. Sufficient data were collected from a total of 102 patients. Prevalence of MS was significantly higher in UC (23.0%) patients compared to CD patients (7.1%). MS prevalence was substantially higher among male IBD patients (21.1%) compared to female IBD patients (12.9%), particularly in patients over 30 years of age. No difference was observed in the prevalence of MS between our IBD cohort and the general population in both males and females aged 40 years and older (P = 0.707 in males, P = 0.328 in females). IBD patients with MS were also older than those without (50.2 ± 15.0 vs. 38.0 ± 11.9 years, P = 0.013). In a logistic regression analysis, age was the statistically significant predictor of MS among IBD patients. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.064 (1.017-1.114). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our IBD patients was comparable to that of the general population. Because age was the independent risk factor for developing MS, evaluation for MS is needed for elderly IBD patients.

• Relation of Gamma-glutamyltransferase and alcohol drinking with incident diabetes: the HIPOP-OHP study.

  Authors: Atsushi Hozawa, Tomonori Okamura, Taichiro Tanaka, Katsuyuki Miura, Yuriko Kikuchi, Takashi Kadowaki, Katsushi Yoshita, Toru Takebayashi, Junko Tamaki, Junko Minai, Takayo Tada, Nagako Chiba, Akira Okayama, Hirotsugu Ueshima

  Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. 02/2010; 17(2):195-202.

  Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is known to correlate well with alcohol consumption; however, the relation between GGT and diabetes and that between alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus (DM) isGamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is known to correlate well with alcohol consumption; however, the relation between GGT and diabetes and that between alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus (DM) is inconsistent. Thus, several questions, such as whether light to moderate drinkers can be considered as low risk for diabetes incidence irrespective of their GGT level, is unresolved. In this study, we investigated the relation of GGT or alcohol drinking with DM incidence considering the body mass index (BMI) in healthy Japanese workers. We followed 3095 men who did not have DM at baseline for 4 years. Incident diabetes was defined as a fasting (non-fasting) plasma glucose level of >or=7.0 (11.1) mmol/L, or treatment of diabetes. Multiple adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using Cox proportional models. Participants with higher GGT (GGT >or=27 IU/L) showed an increased risk of diabetes incidence even when their BMI level was low. Although a U-shaped relation between alcohol drinking and incident diabetes was observed, the risk to light to moderate drinkers (alcohol <23 g/day) was not low if they were either overweight (BMI >or=25 kg/m(2)) or had higher GGT (HR=2.60, p=0.08) or both overweight and higher GGT (HR=3.16, p=0.07) compared with never drinkers without higher GGT and overweight. Higher GGT was associated with a higher incidence of DM irrespective of drinking status or obesity. Although a U-shaped relation between alcohol drinking and incident diabetes was observed, the risk to light to moderate drinkers was not low if they were either overweight or had higher GGT.

• [Nine-month observation of effects of SO2 on the respiratory system in child Miyakejima citizens].

  Authors: Satoko Iwasawa, Takehiro Michikawa, Makiko Nakano, Yuji Nishiwaki, Tazuru Tsuboi, Shigeru Tanaka, Takamoto Uemura, Ai Milojevic, Hiroshi Nakashima, Toru Takebayashi, Akihiro Morikawa, Kouichi Maruyama, Shoji Kudo, Iwao Uchiyama, Kazuyuki Omae

  [Nihon kōshū eisei zasshi] Japanese journal of public health. 01/2010; 57(1):39-43.

  Mt. Oyama on Miyakejima Island erupted in June 2000 and all Miyake village citizens were forced to evacuate the island in the September, due to continuous eruptions and emission of unsafe amounts ofMt. Oyama on Miyakejima Island erupted in June 2000 and all Miyake village citizens were forced to evacuate the island in the September, due to continuous eruptions and emission of unsafe amounts of volcanic gas, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO2). Beginning in February 2005, residents returned to live on the island despite the fact that volcanic gas was still being emitted. To examine changes in the respiratory systems of included children from February 2006 to November 2006. The study population was 141 children who participated in health checkups in November 2006, including 33 SO2 hypersusceptible children who had a current or past history of asthma, obstructive lung function, current symptoms of whistling and wheezing, and/or deterioration of respiratory symptoms. Respiratory effects were evaluated by a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and by spirometry. SO2 was monitored at 7 sampling points within inhabited areas, and the mean SO2 concentration from February 2005 to November 2006 was 0.031 ppm. The area was categorized into four areas by average SO2 concentration, namely, areas L, H-1, H-2, and H-3, where the average SO2 levels were 0.019, 0.026, 0.032, and 0.045 ppm, respectively. Compared to children in area L, the frequencies of "phlegm" and "irritation of the nose" were significantly greater in the children in areas H-2 and H-3. %FVC and %FEV1 in hypersusceptible children were significantly reduced in November 2006 as compared to February 2006 (P = 0.047, 0.027), though no reduction observed in normosusceptible children. Respiratory functions in hypersusceptible Miyakejima children may be affected by SO2 exposure, and further follow-up observation is necessary.

• Prevalence and factors associated with tinnitus: a community-based study of Japanese elders.

  Authors: Takehiro Michikawa, Yuji Nishiwaki, Yuriko Kikuchi, Hideyuki Saito, Kunio Mizutari, Michiko Okamoto, Toru Takebayashi

  Journal of epidemiology / Japan Epidemiological Association. 01/2010; 20(4):271-6.

  The prevalence of tinnitus is reported to be high in older Western populations, and several risk factors have been suggested. However, community-based evidence on prevalence is limited and, to ourThe prevalence of tinnitus is reported to be high in older Western populations, and several risk factors have been suggested. However, community-based evidence on prevalence is limited and, to our knowledge, there is no such information from older non-Western populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with tinnitus in community-dwelling Japanese elders. In this community-based cross-sectional study, 1320 residents of Kurabuchi Town aged 65 years or older (584 men and 736 women; participation proportion = 98.7%) were interviewed at home in 2006, and information on tinnitus and factors associated with tinnitus was collected. We estimated the prevalence of tinnitus by age group and sex and used a logistic regression model to investigate associated factors. The prevalence of tinnitus was 18.6% (men: 18.0%; women: 19.0%); there were no statistically significant differences by age group or sex. Hearing difficulty, depressive mood, prescribed medication, past/current history of coronary heart disease, and knee joint pain requiring medical consultation were associated with tinnitus. These findings suggest that tinnitus is common in Japanese aged over 65 years. Because the factors associated with tinnitus in this cross-sectional study are potentially modifiable, they should be thoroughly investigated in a longitudinal study.

• Hearing Handicap Predicts the Development of Depressive Symptoms After 3 Years in Older Community-Dwelling Japanese.

  Authors: Hideyuki Saito, Yuji Nishiwaki, Takehiro Michikawa, Yuriko Kikuchi, Kunio Mizutari, Toru Takebayashi, Kaoru Ogawa

  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 12/2009;

  OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between hearing handicap and depressive symptoms in older community-dwelling Japanese. DESIGN: Community-based cohort study. SETTING: Kurabuchi Town, GunmaOBJECTIVES: To examine the association between hearing handicap and depressive symptoms in older community-dwelling Japanese. DESIGN: Community-based cohort study. SETTING: Kurabuchi Town, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred eighty residents (261 men, 319 women) aged 65 and older without depressive symptoms. MEASUREMENTS: In a baseline examination performed in 2005/06, participants answered the 10-item screening version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly (HHIE-S). They were divided into two groups according to their scores: a group with no hearing handicap (HHIE-S scores of </=8) and a hearing handicap group (HHIE-S scores of >/=10). The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to identify depressive symptoms in face-to-face home visit interviews conducted in 2008, and the association between hearing handicap and depressive symptoms was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence of depressive symptoms was 19.6% in the group with a hearing handicap and 8.0% in the group without a hearing handicap. When compared with the subjects without hearing handicap, subjects with a hearing handicap had a multiadjusted odds ratio of depressive symptoms of 2.45 (95% confidence interval=1.26-4.77). The association remained significant even when hearing impairment measured with pure-tone audiometry was added to the multiadjusted model. CONCLUSION: A hearing handicap can predict future depressive symptoms in older community-dwelling people.

• Gallstones increase the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus.

  Authors: Juntaro Matsuzaki, Hidekazu Suzuki, Keiko Asakura, Yoshimasa Saito, Kenro Hirata, Toru Takebayashi, Toshifumi Hibi

  Journal of gastroenterology. 11/2009;

  PURPOSE: Bile and acid exposures are thought to be major risk factors for Barrett's esophagus in Western countries. The association of gallstones with Barrett's esophagus has not been fullyPURPOSE: Bile and acid exposures are thought to be major risk factors for Barrett's esophagus in Western countries. The association of gallstones with Barrett's esophagus has not been fully evaluated. The present study was designed as a case-control study for determining the possible factors associated with endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (ESEM), defined as an endoscopic finding suggestive of Barrett's esophagus, in Japanese patients. METHODS: A total of 528 patients with ESEM were allocated to the case group, while 528 age- and gender-matched patients without ESEM were allocated to the control group. Findings on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and clinical background factors were compared using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: The presence of gallstones and hiatus hernia and the severity of gastric mucosal atrophy were independently associated with the presence of ESEM [odds ratio (OR) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-2.69; OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.75-4.33; OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-5.6, respectively]. Compared with subjects with neither gastric corpus atrophy nor gallstones, although subjects with gallstones alone were not associated with the presence of ESEM (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.87-2.92), having both gastric corpus atrophy and gallstones was strongly associated with the presence of ESEM (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.40-6.17). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of gallstones was independently associated with the presence of ESEM in the Japanese outpatient population, suggesting a causal association of distal esophageal bile exposure with the development of ESEM. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings in cases with histologically confirmed Barrett's esophagus.