Global trends in mortality related to pulmonary embolism: an epidemiological analysis of data from the World Health Organization mortality database from 2001 to 2023.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a major contributor to the global disease burden. However, disparities in international trends of PE-related mortality have not been comprehensively examined across geographic, economic, and healthcare system parameters. We employed multifaceted stratification to analyse long-term trends in PE-related mortality.

Trends in the incidence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Japan: an observational study from 2013 to 2022.

We aimed to determine the 10-year trend in the incidence of Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Japan. This retrospective observational study used a publicly available national database. Trends in the incidence of SFTS with annual percent changes (APC) were examined using Joinpoint regression analysis with stratification by patient age, season, and region.

Impact of full-time equivalent allocation on the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship activities: A multicenter study in Okayama, Japan.

Background: Optimized administration of antimicrobial agents is critical for mitigating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between antimicrobial stewardship (AS) activities and antimicrobial prescription trends and patterns.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, longitudinal study was conducted between April 2014 and March 2023 (9-year fiscal period).

Trends in nontuberculous mycobacterial disease mortality based on 2000-2022 data from 83 countries.

Objectives: To examine the international trends for nontuberculous mycobacterial-associated mortality rates, as nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are becoming increasingly prevalent and pose a significant public health challenge, especially in older populations.

Methods: This retrospective observational study used data from the World Health Organization mortality database, which included patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in 83 countries. We stratified the data by sex, age, and geographic region and calculated crude and age-standardized mortality rates to estimate long-term mortality trends.

Comprehensive analysis of adverse event profile changes with pertuzumab addition to trastuzumab-based breast cancer therapy: Disproportionality analysis using VigiBase.

Aims: Pertuzumab is used in combination with trastuzumab-based therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer. However, real-world safety information on pertuzumab remains limited. This study assessed the safety of adding pertuzumab to trastuzumab-based therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer using real-world data.

International trends in biliary tract cancer-related mortality, 2000-2022: An observational study of the World Health Organization Mortality Database.

Background And Aims: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs), including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer, and ampullary cancer, exhibit poor prognosis. This study examined temporal trends in mortality due to BTCs and their major subtypes at international, regional, and national levels.

Approach And Results: This observational study used the World Health Organization mortality database.

Effectiveness of sensing gloves-applied virtual reality education system on hand hygiene practice: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: We developed a virtual reality (VR) education system and evaluated its clinical utility for promoting hand hygiene practices.

Methods: This prospective, 2-week, randomized controlled study conducted at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, from November 2023 to January 2024, involved 22 participants (18 medical students and 4 residents). A fully immersive 360° VR system (VIVE Pro Eye) using a head-mounted display and sensing gloves was used to develop 3 health care tasks in a virtual patient room-Environmental Cleaning, Gauze Exchange, and Urine Collection.

Burden of depressive disorders in Vietnam from 1990 to 2019: A secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Depressive disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally. However, information on the burden of depressive disorders in Vietnam is limited. We aimed to analyse the burden of depressive disorders in Vietnam from 1990 to 2019.

Changes in the place of death before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Background: In the global aging, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have affected the place of death (PoD) in Japan, where hospital deaths have dominated for decades. We analyzed the PoD trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Methods: This nationwide observational study used vital statistics based on death certificates from Japan between 1951 and 2021.

Trends in the Incidence of Disseminated Cryptococcosis in Japan: A Nationwide Observational Study, 2015-2021.

Background: Cryptococcus species can cause severe disseminated infections in immunocompromised hosts. This study investigated the epidemiological features and trends in disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan.

Methods: We used publicly available Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports to obtain data on the incidence of disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan from 2015 to 2021.

Trends in childhood obesity in Japan: A nationwide observational study from 2012 to 2021.

The persistent ascension of childhood obesity on a global scale constitutes a significant quandary. The prevalence of childhood obesity in Japan peaked in the early 2000s and has been reported to have declined since then, but recent data and its trend including the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era are not available. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies examining the correlation between the trend in childhood obesity and exercise habits over the past decade.

International Trends in Adverse Drug Event-Related Mortality from 2001 to 2019: An Analysis of the World Health Organization Mortality Database from 54 Countries.

Background And Objective: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are becoming a significant public health issue. However, reports on ADE-related mortality are limited to national-level evaluations. Therefore, we aimed to reveal overall trends in ADE-related mortality across the 21st century on an international level.

Trends in Head and Neck Cancer Mortality from 1999 to 2019 in Japan: An Observational Analysis.

Globally, the numbers of head and neck cancer (HNC) cases and related deaths have recently increased. In Japan, few studies have examined crude or age-adjusted HNC mortality rates. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the trends in crude and age-adjusted mortality rates for HNC per million individuals in Japan from 1999 to 2019.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Trends in the Incidence of Leptospirosis in Japan: A Nationwide, Observational Study from 2006 to 2021.

During this age of climate change, the incidence of tropical diseases may change. This study compared the epidemiological characteristics and trends of leptospirosis in Japan between the endemic region, Okinawa, and the rest of the country. Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports were used to determine the numbers and crude incidence rates of leptospirosis.

Association between immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis and concomitant use of thiazide diuretics.

Although an association has been reported between diuretics and myocarditis, it is unclear whether the risk of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced myocarditis is affected by concomitant diuretics. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of concomitant diuretics on ICI-induced myocarditis. This cross-sectional study used disproportionality analysis and a pharmacovigilance database to assess the risk of myocarditis with various diuretics in patients receiving ICIs via the analysis of data entered into the VigiBase database through December 2022.

Cardiovascular Toxicities Associated with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Inhibitors: A Disproportionality Analysis of the WHO Pharmacovigilance Database (VigiBase).

Introduction: Recently, cases of cardiovascular toxicities, such as pericarditis, caused by anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have been reported; however, whether these adverse events are common among all ALK inhibitors remains unclear.

Aims: This study aimed to clarify the cardiovascular toxicity profile of ALK inhibitors using an adverse event spontaneous report database.

Methods: We analyzed data from VigiBase, the WHO global database of individual safety reports, from its inception in 1968 to December 2021.

Characterization of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Myasthenia Gravis Using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare but fatal adverse event of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We assessed whether patient characteristics differed between those with ICI-related myasthenia gravis and those with idiopathic myasthenia gravis. Reports from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System were analyzed.

Trends in the incidence of syphilis in the middle-aged and older adults in Japan: A nationwide observational study, 2009-2019.

Aim: Sexually transmitted infections remain a neglected area of research in geriatrics. However, in the global aging societies, sexual health among the middle-aged and older adults is an emerging public concern. High-income countries are facing a resurgence of syphilis cases among young generations, but little is known about its prevalence in older populations.

Impact of the cervical cancer awareness months on public interest in Japan: A Google Trends analysis, 2012-2021.

The immunization and screening rates for human papillomavirus in Japan are lower than those in other countries. We aimed to evaluate the impact of cervical cancer awareness months on public attention using Google Trends analysis. Between 2012 and 2021, we analyzed the trends in relative search volumes (RSVs) for "Shikyuu-keigan" (cervical cancer in English) in Japan, during the cervical cancer awareness month (CCAM) in January and cervical cancer prevention awareness enhancement month (CCPAEM) in November.

Correlation between national surveillance and search engine query data on respiratory syncytial virus infections in Japan.

Background: The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease burden is significant, especially in infants and children with an underlying disease. Prophylaxis with palivizumab is recommended for these high-risk groups. Early recognition of a RSV epidemic is important for timely administration of palivizumab.

Trends in places and causes of death among centenarians in Japan from 2006 to 2016.

Aim: Amid the global aging, an establishment of healthcare policies for the aged population is a common issue to be addressed. However, few studies on centenarians have reported place and cause of death (PoD and CoD, respectively) as indicators of end-of-life care quality. This study aimed to analyze trends in PoD and CoD among centenarians in Japan.

Trends in sarcoidosis mortality rate in Japan from 2001 to 2020: A population-based study.

Background: The sarcoidosis mortality rate has increased over the years, which contributes to the health care burden. Although epidemiological studies of sarcoidosis mortality in aging societies are essential, none have been published since 1989 in Japan.

Methods: We aimed to investigate the trends in crude and age-adjusted sarcoidosis-associated mortality rates per 1,000,000 population in Japan from 2001 to 2020 using national death certificate data among older adults aged over 50 years.