Stress Perception and Social Indicators for Low Back, Shoulder and Joint Pains in Japan: National Surveys in 1995 and 2001

The Contextual Effect of Area-Level Unemployment Rate on Lower Back Pain: A Multilevel Analysis of Three Consecutive Surveys of 962,586 Workers in Japan

This study examined the associations between area-level unemployment rates and lower back pain using large-scale data provided by the Japanese working population. We analyzed data from a nationally representative, repeated, cross-sectional study across three waves from 2010, 2013, and 2016 in 47 Japanese subnational level areas. Workers aged 18-64 years (n = 962,586) were eligible to participate in the study. A multilevel logistic model was used to examine the association between the unemployment rate and lower back pain. The self-report of lower back pain was a dependent variable. The prefecture-level unemployment rate was analyzed as an independent variable, adjusted for individual-level covariates (e.g., gender, age, socioeconomic status). After adjusting for all covariates, the main effect of the prefecture-level unemployment rate was statistically significant: the odds ratio (OR) (95% credible interval (CrI)) was 1.01 (1.002, 1.03). Additionally, the OR (95% CrI) for the interaction between gender and the prefecture-level unemployment rate was 1.02 (1.01, 1.03) indicating that women were more affected by area-level employment status than men. In conclusion, a significant association between the unemployment rate and lower back pain was observed in the Japanese working population. Women were more sensitive to the unemployment rate.

Correlation between the Japanese Aging Male Questionnaire (JAMQ) and Aging Male's Symptom (AMS) scale in Japanese male

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the correlation between the Japanese Aging Male Questionnaire (JAMQ) and the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale through the factor analysis in Japanese male.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 61 male patients who visited the LOH outpatient clinic of Teikyo University Hospital, subjective symptoms featuring LOH were evaluated using the JAMQ and AMS. Factor analysis was performed on each questionnaire to clarify the LOH-related factors. Correlational analysis between the subscale scores representing such factors and the serum hormone profiles was also performed.

RESULTS

Factor analysis of the JAMQ revealed an internal structure consisting of three subgroups: somatic, psychological and sexual factors with good categorization of the indicators to the appropriate subgroup. In contrast, the indicators of the AMS showed incomplete conformity to the subgroups of the JAMQ. Correlational analysis showed that each score on the JAMQ subgroups had the highest coefficient of correlation with the corresponding AMS subgroup (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between total and free serum testosterone levels and the total and subscale scores on either AMS or JAMQ.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of factor analysis suggest that the sexual perceptions of Japanese populations might differ from those of Caucasian populations. JAMQ would be useful to separately assess individual aspects of somatic, psychological and sexual symptoms related to LOH among Japanese males.

Increased number of Judo therapy facilities in Japan and changes in their geographical distribution

Background

Judo therapy is a well established Japanese co-medical profession specializing in outpatient manual treatment of fractures and sprains. Recently, the number of judo therapists has been rapidly increasing as a result of proliferation judo therapy academies. This study examines whether such rapid increases have improved geographical distribution of judo therapy facilities in Japan.

Methods

The number of judo therapy facilities and the population in each municipality were obtained from the Web yellow pages and from Japanese census data for 2004, 2006, and 2008, respectively. Lorenz curves and Gini indices were calculated to demonstrate distributions of judo therapy facilities per 100,000 people. A bootstrapped method was used to identify statistical significances of differences in Gini indices.

Results

In all municipalities, the mean numbers of judo therapy facilities per 100,000 people were 15.3 in 2004, 15.8 in 2006, and 17.6 in 2008. The Gini indices for judo therapy facilities nationally were 0.273 in 2004, 0.264 in 2006, and 0.264 in 2008. The numbers of judo therapy facilities increased significantly between 2006 and 2008 (p < 0.05) but the indices did not change significantly in the same period. The Gini indices for local towns and villages remained unchanged and were consistently higher (p < 0.05) than those in urban areas throughout the study periods.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that recent increases in the number of judo therapy facilities have not necessarily led to greater equality in their geographic distribution in terms of Gini indices.

Relationship between major depression and high serum cholesterol in Japanese men

Although it has been argued that those with lower levels of serum cholesterol are likely to be depressive, the findings are inconsistent. The present study attempted to clarify the relationship between major depression and serum total cholesterol in a working population. Subjects were 987 Japanese men working at an institute, aged 20 to 64 years. In addition to blood examinations and physical measurements, clinical structured interviews of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) were used to detect major depression. The prevalence of major depression was higher in the hypercholesterolemics (serum total cholesterol levels > or = 5.69 mmol/liter) than in the normocholesterolemics (3.10-5.69 mmol/liter) (6.1% vs 1.8%, p < 0.05). Notably, there was no case with major depression among the hypocholesterolemics (< 3.10 mmol/liter). Through a multiple regression analysis, serum total cholesterol levels were positively predicted by the following four variables: major depression, age, body mass index, and skipping breakfast (all p < 0.01). Concerning those diagnosed with major depression, serum total cholesterol levels remained higher in the following year (p < 0.05), comparing to those without such diagnosis. Therefore, depression is associated with higher serum cholesterol levels in a population of Japanese male workers. The irregularity of eating behavior may be one of the factors mediating high serum cholesterol levels and major depression.