JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Response to the Letter Regarding "Paternal involvement in childcare and housework and mothers' spanking behavior: The Japanese longitudinal survey of newborns in the 21st century"
Nagayoshi M, Kachi Y, Kato T, Ochi M, Ichinose Y, Kondo T and Takehara K
Changes in dietary diversity and subsequent all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Japanese adults: The Japan Collaborative Cohort Study
Watanabe D, Muraki I, Maruyama K, Tamakoshi A and
Poor dietary habits are a significant changeable factor contributing to negative health effects; however, the connection between variations in dietary diversity over time and mortality remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association between longitudinal changes in the dietary diversity score (DDS) and mortality in Japanese adults.
Associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sitting time with risk of disability and mortality among Japanese older adults
Watanabe D, Yoshida T, Watanabe Y, Yamada Y, Miyachi M and Kimura M
The interaction and substitution effects of physical activity (PA) and sitting time (ST) living in non-western countries have not been well investigated. This study aimed to examine the association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and ST with disability and mortality in older adults.
Association between alcohol consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus across different body mass index categories among Japanese workers
Wang Y, Inoue Y, Yamamoto S, Fukunaga A, Yamamoto S, Honda T, Nakagawa T, Hayashi T, Konishi M and Mizoue T
While evidence from Western countries links low-to-moderate alcohol consumption to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), findings have been inconsistent in Asia. Since T2D in Asia involves both insulin resistance and deficient insulin secretion, both of which are differently affected by alcohol, we prospectively examined whether the association differs according to body mass index (BMI) categories among the Japanese.
Post COVID-19 condition in hospitalized survivors after one year of infection during the Alpha- and Delta-variant dominant waves in Japan: COVID-19 Recovery Study II
Muto Y, Hosozawa M, Hori M, Iba A, Maruyama S, Morioka S, Teruya K, Nishida T, Harada T, Yoshida H, Miike S, Kawauchi A, Kato H, Hatakeyama J, Fujitani S, Asahi T, Nakamura K, Sato Y, Oshima T, Nagashima F, Ota K, Fuchigami T, Nosaka N, Kamijo H, Hattori T, Taniguchi H and Iso H
BackgroundEvidence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) in the Alpha- and Delta-variant dominant waves is limited.MethodsIn a nationwide multicentre cohort study in collaboration with 20 hospitals, we collected data using self-administered questionnaires and electronic medical records of participants aged 20 or more diagnosed with COVID-19, hospitalized between Apr 1 2021 and Sept 30 2021, and discharged alive. Descriptive statistics were analyzed for PCC and mental health (HADS anxiety and depression scores), comparing Alpa and Delta-dominant waves.ResultsWe analyzed 1,040 patients (median age, 57 [IQR 49-66] years; men, 66.2%). Of the respondents, 45.4% had at least one PCC symptom one year after infection. The common symptoms included dyspnea (20.7%), fatigue/malaise (17.6%), muscle weakness (15.4%), decrease in concentration (13.4%), and sleep disorder (13.3%), followed by brain fog (8.4%). Among patients with PCC, 14.0% had anxiety (HADS-Anxiety ≥11), and 18.6% had depression (HADS-Depression ≥11), with four times higher proportions than those without PCC; only small variations by age, sex, and waves were observed. Associated factors for PCC were age 40 years or over, women, severity of COVID-19 during hospitalization, ex-smokers who quit smoking before COVID-19 infection and being infected during the Delta-variant dominant wave.ConclusionThe study described the prevalence of PCC, associated factors, and mental health of COVID-19 survivors hospitalized during the Alpha and Delta-variant dominant waves in Japan. Further follow-up will be conducted to examine the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on PCC, complications, daily life, and socioeconomic status.
Urgent support is needed for more tinnitus research
Jarach CM, Simoes JP, Schlee W, Langguth B and Gallus S
Changes in Alcohol Consumption During and After the Covid-19 Pandemic From 2020 to 2023 in a Prospective Cohort of Italian Adults
Cerrai S, Carreras G, Monti F, Stival C, Lugo A, Bosetti C, Biagioni S, Fanucchi T, Gorini G, Amerio A, Mastrobattista L, Mortali C, Odone A, Molinaro S, Smits L, Gallus S and
The lockdowns imposed by the government during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have had a significant impact on the Italian population habits.
What Epidemiologists Can Do in the Era of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Nishi A and Inoue K
Patterns of use of heated tobacco products: a comprehensive systematic review
Scala M, Dallera G, Gorini G, Achille J, Havermans A, Neto C, Odone A, Smits L, Zambon A, Lugo A and Gallus S
Relative or absolute safety of heated tobacco products (HTP) remains unknown, while independent literature suggests that these products do not favour tobacco control. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate HTP usage patterns and the effect of HTP use on conventional tobacco smoking (use transitions).
The Wako Cohort Study: Design and Profile of Participants at Baseline
Yokoyama Y, Nofuji Y, Abe T, Nonaka K, Ozone Y, Nakamura Y, Chiaki S, Suda T, Saito N, Takase M, Amano H, Ogawa S, Suzuki H and Murayama H
We launched the Wako Cohort Study in 2023 to identify individual and socio-environmental factors related to the extension of healthy life expectancy and the reduction of health disparities among community-dwelling adults and to develop health promotion and care prevention strategies. This study profile aims to describe the study design and participants' profile at baseline.
Association between informal caregiving and changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors among middle-aged and older adults in Japan: A 15-year panel survey
Taniguchi Y, Miyawaki A, Iwagami M, Sugiyama T, Watanabe T, Ito T and Tamiya N
BackgroundStudies have shown that informal caregiving is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, there is limited evidence on the mechanisms involved. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the association of informal caregiving with changes in health-related behaviors.MethodsWe analyzed a nationally representative sample aged 50-59 years as of 2005 using fifteen waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Middle-Aged and Older Adults, conducted between 2005-2019. We investigated the association between the change in informal caregiving status and the change in health-related behaviors, including (1) heavy drinking, (2) smoking, (3) no exercise habits, and (4) no attendance at annual health checkups. We used multivariable logistic regression models with correlated random effects, adjusting for individual-level time-invariant characteristics.ResultsAmong 268,165 observations from 30,530 participants (median age 55 [interquartile range 52-57] at baseline; 51.6% women), 32,164 (12.0%) observations from 10,224 individuals provided informal care. After adjusting for potential confounders, informal caregiving was associated with higher probabilities of deteriorating health-related behaviors, including heavy drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.32; adjusted p=0.032) and no exercise habits (aOR 1.09; 95%CI 1.04-1.15; adjusted p<0.001). We observed similar patterns for smoking (aOR 1.12; 95%CI 1.001-1.26; adjusted p=0.053) and no attendance at health checkups (aOR 1.05; 95%CI 0.999-1.10; adjusted p=0.053).ConclusionThis study showed that the transition into informal caregiving was associated with deteriorating cardiovascular-related health behaviors in Japan. These findings highlighted the importance of continued efforts to prevent the deterioration of caregivers' health-related behaviors.
Number of teeth and incidence of hip fracture in older adults aged ≥75 years: the OHSAKA study
Otsuki N, Mameno T, Kanie Y, Wada M, Shinzawa M, Ikebe K and Yamamoto R
Several studies reported an association between the number of teeth and the incidence of hip fractures in observational studies, mainly in middle-aged adults. This retrospective cohort study aimed to clarify the association between the number of teeth and the incidence of hip fractures.
Comprehensive assessment of the impact of blood pressure, body mass index, smoking, and diabetes on healthy life expectancy in Japan: NIPPON DATA90
Tsukinoki R, Murakami Y, Hayakawa T, Kadota A, Harada A, Kita Y, Okayama A, Miura K, Okamura T and Ueshima H
Healthy life expectancy (HLE) is a population health indicator that is widely used in developed countries, but little is known about its relationships with combinations of non-communicable disease risk factors. This study was conducted to examine HLE at age 65 according to combinations of blood pressure levels, body mass index, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus (DM) in a Japanese population.
The condition of subjective daytime sleepiness and its related decline in work productivity among daytime workers
Takano Y, Hirasawa T and Inoue Y
Few have examined the condition of subjective daytime sleepiness in workers and its relation to their work productivity. This study aimed to clarify the association between the presence of subjective daytime sleepiness and work productivity measures, including presenteeism and absenteeism, as well as factors related to the presence of the symptom in daytime workers.
Colorectal cancer screening based on fecal immunochemical test and risk assessment: a population-based study including two million participants in China
Hang D, Zhu C, Yang X, He J, Li H, Pan T, Wang L, Wang S, Wu W, Zhong J, Gong W, Zhu M, Song C, Ma H, Li N, Qiu Y, Jin G, Hu Z, Du L, Cheng X and Shen H
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) has been widely used in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, yet the practical performance of FIT combined with questionnaire-based risk assessment (QRA) remains undetermined. Moreover, risk factors for distinct CRC precursors identified in screening have been rarely compared.
Association Between Introduction of the 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23) and Pneumonia Incidence and Mortality Among General Older Population in Japan: A Community-Based Study
Sugiyama A, Kataoka M, Tokumo K, Abe K, Imada H, Sun B, Akuffo GA, Akita T, Fukuma S, Hattori N and Tanaka J
BackgroundWith global aging, especially in Asia, preventing pneumonia among seniors is vital. The necessity of introducing pneumococcal vaccines among the elderly has been highlighted but there is a paucity of community-based real-world evidence on their effect. Sera Town in Hiroshima Prefecture, a super-aged community, launched a distinctive pneumococcal vaccination support project for elderly residents and conducted a 5-year follow-up survey. This study evaluates the effectiveness of this vaccination initiative.MethodsFrom October 2010 to March 2015, Sera Town recruited elderly residents for PPSV23 vaccination with partial cost subsidies. Participants were surveyed annually for five years post-vaccination to assess pneumonia incidence, calculated on a person-years basis. Using vital statistics from 2000 to 2016, we quantified changes in mortality rates associated with the vaccination support project through interrupted time series analysis.ResultsOf approximately 7,900 residents aged 65 and older, 3,422 (43%) participated in the project (median age: 84 years; range: 70-114 years; 56.7% female). Over 14,559 person-years of observation, 295 participants developed pneumonia. The post-vaccination incidence rate was 20.3 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI: 18.0-22.7). Interrupted time series analysis indicated a 25% reduction in Sera Town's pneumonia mortality rate post-project, reversing an annual increase of 0.23 per 1,000 population pre-project to an annual decrease of 0.04 per 1,000 population post-project.ConclusionThis study provided real-world evidence on the association with PPSV23 vaccination on the general elderly through a community-based study. The results may be particularly useful for regions where PPSV23 serotypes are prevalent, offering insights for areas facing aging challenges.
Validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire for genomic and omics research among pregnant women: the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study
Murakami K, Nakadate M, Obara T, Aizawa M, Takahashi I, Ishikuro M, Noda A, Ohseto H, Iwama N, Saito M, Takachi R, Sugawara S, Yonezawa Y, Yamashita T, Suzuki S, Ishihara J, Yamamoto M and Kuriyama S
The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project has initiated the Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study (TMM BirThree Cohort Study) including genomic and omics investigations, and conducted a self-administered food frequency questionnaire with the response option "constitutionally unable to eat or drink it" for individual food items (TMM-FFQ) for pregnant women. This study evaluated the validity of the TMM-FFQ among pregnant women.
Three-year seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibody among children, parental awareness, and contributors of infection: a single-school cohort study in Chiba, Japan
Yamamoto M, Sakurai K, Takatani R, Hisada A and Mori C
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children is often asymptomatic, posing challenges in detecting infections. Additionally, factors contributing to infection remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate trends in anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid antibody seroprevalence, the relationship between seroprevalence and parental perception of child infection, and factors related to COVID-19 in children.
Community social capital and all-cause mortality in Japan: Findings from the Adachi Cohort Study
Murayama H, Sugiyama M, Inagaki H, Edahiro A, Miyamae F, Ura C, Motokawa K, Okamura T and Awata S
Community social capital is associated with various health outcomes; however, its impact on mortality is not fully understood, particularly in non-Western settings. This study examined the association between community-level social capital and all-cause mortality among community-dwelling older Japanese adults.
Impact of serum retinol-binding protein 4 levels in late pregnancy on the incidence of small/large for gestational age infants among 11,854 pregnant women: A retrospective study
Zhang B, Zhan Z, Xi S, Wang F and Yuan X
There is still uncertainty regarding the association between maternal serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to determine the association between RBP4 levels and incidence of small/large for gestational age (SGA/LGA) infants among the Chinese population.
New Special Article Series: "Methodological Tutorial Series for Epidemiological Studies"
Ito Y