The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
-
Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Sep 2005
Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Japanese people on medical check-up.
In Japan, spirometry has not been included as an item in medical check-ups for all persons. The purpose of this study was to show evidence to recommend spirometry routinely on medical check-up for the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There were 12,760 enrolled persons who underwent medical check-up. ⋯ Occupations associated with a high smoking rate such as transportation-related occupations showed a higher prevalence of COPD. These results suggest that spirometry for all persons in medical check-ups can identify many COPD patients not aware of this disease. Spirometry should be carried out routinely on medical check-up.
-
Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Aug 2005
Differences in the outcomes and treatments of extensively burned patients between a Chinese hospital and a Japanese hospital.
To know the therapeutic level at one's own institute is important and contributes to improving the treatment of patients. We compared the outcomes of extensively burned patients between a Chinese hospital and a Japanese hospital in order to identify the differences in the clinical treatment of severe burn patients. Thirty-four burn patients who were admitted to the National Defense Medical College Hospital (NDMC) in Japan and 95 burn patients who were admitted to the Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University (SMMU) in China from January 1999 to December 2003 were studied. ⋯ Moreover, the age (p = 0.005) and inhalation rate (p = 0.013) were significantly higher at NDMC hospital than those at SMMU hospital. Consequently, the survival rate at SMMU was higher than at NDMC in the patients with a burn surface area of greater than 80% or with a burn index of greater than 60. The excellent outcomes of the extensively burned patients at SMMU were in part due to the fact that Chinese doctors tend to perform an immediate tracheostomy and a traditional Chinese operation with alloskin, called microskin grafting or intermingled skin grafting.
-
Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Aug 2005
Assessment of salivary and serum antioxidant vitamins and lipid peroxidation in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration.
Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by recurrent, painful oral aphthae. Although the exact cause of RAU is not known, local trauma, microorganisms, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, genetics, and immunological factors have been suggested to contribute to its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the level of lipid peroxidation and status of antioxidant vitamins in patients with RAU. ⋯ Furthermore, strong and highly significant correlation was found between serum and salivary levels of vitamins A, E and C, and MDA in patients with RAU (r > or = 0.90, p < 0.0001). The present study demonstrates that the serum and saliva levels of selected antioxidant vitamins are lower, while the degree of lipid peroxidation, as judged by the MDA levels, is higher in patients with RAU than in the control subjects. This is the first to measure specific antioxidant levels in both saliva and blood in the same patients, and indicates that the non-enzymatic anti-oxidant ability is impaired in patients with RAU.
-
Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2005
Case ReportsA new technique for superior hypogastric plexus block: the posteromedian transdiscal approach.
Superior hypogastric plexus block has been advocated for the treatment of cancer related pelvic pain. Neurolysis is usually established using the classical posterolateral approach in the prone position, in which correct placement of the needle is sometimes difficult due to vertebral anatomy and the patient's inability to lie prone. We describe an alternative posteromedian transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance for the treatment of intractable pelvic pain in three patients, in whom the classical approach was not possible. ⋯ All patients had significant pain relief immediately after the block, lasting from 6 to 12 months, and their pain severity scores and opioid consumption were reduced by more than 50%. There were no complications such as discitis, disc rupture or nerve injury. Since this new posteromedian transdiscal approach provides easy access to the superior hypogastric plexus with a single puncture and with any patient position, it may be an alternative to the classical approach.
-
Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jul 2005
Smoking prevalence and attitudes toward tobacco among student and staff nurses in Niigata, Japan.
The present study investigated smoking prevalence and attitudes toward smoking in student and staff nurses, and activities to promote tobacco intervention by staff nurses. A total of 743 student nurses in 2 colleges and one university and 490 staff nurses in the university hospital in Niigata, Japan participated in the study and filled in self-administered anonymous questionnaires focused on smoking habits, attitudes toward smoking, and activities to promote tobacco intervention. The smoking prevalence among student nurses was 6% and increased with the year of study, whereas that of among staff nurses was 16% and increased by employment up to 3-5 years. ⋯ Nicotine dependence, as defined by over 11 cigarettes per day and the first cigarette within 30 min after getting up, was high in smokers who started smoking before admission to college or university, but not in those who took up the habit thereafter. Thirty-six percent of student nurses and 25% of staff nurses agreed with the statement that "nurses should not smoke." Only 12% of staff nurses were involved in anti-tobacco interventions routinely, partly due to lack of broad knowledge and the necessary skills. Greater efforts are needed as a high priority to educate student and staff nurses systematically and comprehensively about the range of tobacco interventions available in Japan.