Publications by authors named "Reiko Inoue"

Introduction: Preventive programs, including cancer and diabetes screenings, were disrupted globally by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and had not returned to pre-pandemic levels even in 2021-2022. In Japan, COVID-19 was downgraded to the lowest-risk category under the Infectious Diseases Control Law in May 2023. However, whether participation in health check-ups recovered after this downgrade remains unclear.

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Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the primary preventive effects of physical activity interventions delivered through digital health technology (DHT) on workers' mental health symptoms, and to examine the conditions of attrition and adherence in these interventions.

Methods: We examined randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that analyzed the effects of physical activity interventions delivered through DHT on workers' health outcomes. We included RCTs published in English or Japanese since 2010 and excluded studies that targeted specific diseases or secondary and tertiary prevention.

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Objectives: A worldwide decrease in the incidence of respiratory diseases during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been reported, largely due to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). However, the impact of lifting NPIs remains unclear. In Japan, NPIs were lifted rather drastically when COVID-19 was downgraded on May 8, 2023.

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Objectives: There has been limited research on demographic and work-related characteristics of general and workplace loneliness. The present descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the demographic and work-related correlates of general and workplace loneliness in a general working population of Japan.

Methods: We recruited 25 000 persons aged 20 years or older and employed by a company, organization, or government agency.

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Background And Hypothesis: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes for hyponatremia and hypernatremia, using a database containing laboratory data. We also aimed to clarify whether corrections for blood glucose, triglyceride, and total protein may affect the prevalence and the diagnostic validity.

Methods: We retrospectively identified admissions with laboratory values using a Japanese hospital-based database.

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Background: Although the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE), a well-known predictive model for predicting dialysis dependency, is useful, it remains unclear whether the addition of biomarker changes to the KFRE model in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 ml/min/1.73 m will improve its predictive value.

Methods: We retrospectively identified adults with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.

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Objectives: This systematic review aimed to assess the association between psychosocial factors in the workplace and menstrual abnormalities or fertility, focusing on literature implementing a prospective cohort design.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Japan Medical Abstracts Society electronic databases for studies published from inception to February 26, 2020, and updated the search in PubMed on May 29, 2024. Inclusion criteria were (P) adult female workers (over 18 years old), (E) presence of adverse psychosocial factors at work, (C) absence of adverse psychosocial factors at work, and (O) any menstrual cycle disorders, menstrual-related symptoms, or fertility issues.

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The association between doctors' long working hours and the seriousness of adverse events with high patient impact has not been fully confirmed. Most previous studies were based on work hour regulations using more than 80 h per week as an indicator of long working hours. We aimed to assess the association using a shorter indicator as the cut-off for long working hours among hospital doctors including senior doctors.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms due to inflammatory and destructive changes of the lung leading to progressive airflow obstruction. Fragility fractures associated with osteoporosis are among major comorbidities and have significant impacts on quality of life and prognosis of patients with COPD. Evidence suggests that both decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired bone quality contribute to bone fragility and resultant fractures in COPD.

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Article Synopsis
  • The text outlines the importance of participatory organizational interventions for improving psychosocial working conditions and highlights a lack of systematic reviews on their impact on mental health and work performance.
  • The study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis using specific criteria (PICO) to evaluate the effects of these interventions, focusing on workers’ mental health and job performance.
  • Researchers will search multiple electronic databases for relevant studies, independently assess study quality, and conduct statistical analyses to determine the overall effects and potential biases in the findings.
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Article Synopsis
  • Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used for treating autoimmune diseases but can lead to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), which significantly impacts patient quality of life and leads to fractures in many patients.
  • In 2014, the Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research established treatment guidelines for managing GIOP, using risk factors like age and bone density to determine appropriate therapy for patients on GC treatment for over three months.
  • The updated 2023 guidelines recommend starting osteoporosis medications, such as bisphosphonates and anti-RANKL antibodies, alongside GC therapy for high-risk patients to help prevent fractures.
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Objective: One serious side effect of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) is venous thromboembolism. Reduced activity in activated protein C-related coagulation pathways is attributable to low protein S activity in one-third of Japanese patients with deep vein thrombosis. Herer, we quantified the behavior of protein S-specific activity in response to dienogest (DNG) and COCs using the protein S-specific activity assay system to explore its potential utility as a thrombosis marker.

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Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prospective effect of adverse work-related psychosocial factors on increases in inflammatory markers.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society database. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they examined associations between work-related psychosocial factors and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein), used longitudinal or prospective cohort designs, were conducted among workers, were original articles written in English or Japanese, and were published up to 2017 for the first search, October 2020 for the second, and November 2022 for the third.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients, given that many remain unaware due to its asymptomatic nature, using a large-scale analysis across Japan's population aged 40-74.
  • The research found that only 1.0% of participants showed serious kidney dysfunction, while 3.7% had mild proteinuria, and awareness of CKD among those aged 65-74 was very low at 0.6%.
  • A positive correlation was observed between regional CKD prevalence and awareness rates, indicating a need for more targeted screening and education efforts, particularly for older populations.
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The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) is used widely in occupational health studies and practice. Summarizing scientific production based on measurement is crucial. This study aimed to systematically review observational studies that used the BJSQ and the New BJSQ to show their usability.

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Article Synopsis
  • Participatory organizational interventions enhance occupational safety and health but lack a widely accepted definition, prompting a study to establish one.
  • The researchers developed a draft definition based on existing literature and refined it through multiple discussions and feedback from 15 experts in occupational safety and health.
  • The final proposed definition includes planned actions targeting working conditions to promote the well-being of all workers, emphasizing that ideally, all workers should be involved in all intervention steps, although elected representatives may participate in some cases.
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Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that may lead to end-stage renal disease. Interstitial fibrosis develops as the disease progresses. Therapies that focus on fibrosis to delay or reverse progressive renal failure are limited.

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Introduction: Workplace environment, especially psychosocial factors at work such as job strain, workplace social support, and shift work, may affect the menstrual abnormalities and fertility of female workers. However, the association between psychosocial factors at work and menstrual abnormalities or fertility is not well understood. To address this relationship, we will conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature that has utilized a longitudinal or prospective cohort design.

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Objective: There is little evidence that workplace social support can relieve workers' mental health problems. Therefore, we examined whether social support from coworkers and supervisors was associated with reduced serious psychological distress among employees.

Methods: We used two-wave panel data from 13 Japanese companies.

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Neutrophils protect against bacterial and fungal infections, but tight regulation of cell activation is essential for avoiding tissue damage in autoimmune disorders. Protein kinase R (PKR) is a serine/threonine kinase originally characterized by its role in the defense mechanisms against viral infection. Although PKR is involved in the signaling pathways of neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders, its function in neutrophils is not well delineated.

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Article Synopsis
  • Clinical evidence since 2015 shows that SGLT2 inhibitors not only manage diabetes but also provide cardiovascular and renal protection.
  • A study analyzed prescription data across Japan, revealing significant regional variations in SGLT2 inhibitor usage, influenced by the number of certified cardiologists in those areas.
  • The findings suggest that more certified cardiologists are linked to higher prescription rates of SGLT2 inhibitors, highlighting their role in promoting new treatment practices.
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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the work-related health and social problems among Japanese female workers and the expected research in the workplace.

Method: A cross-sectional study using an Internet survey was conducted on female workers in Japan. Using an original questionnaire, we obtained data on "a system that can be used by female workers," "female workers' problems (physical symptoms, mental symptoms, menstrual problems, pregnancy/childbirth problems, work-life balance, etc.

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