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Tatsuya Ishitake

Publications and source records attributed to Tatsuya Ishitake.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A detailed analysis of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors among Japanese nurses.

INTRODUCTION: Although Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) represent a common occupational problem, few epidemiological studies have investigated MSD risk factors among Asian nurses, particularly those in Japan. METHOD: We administered a modified Japanese-language version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire to 1,162 nurses from a large teaching hospital. MSD categories focused on the neck, shoulder, upper back, and lower back regions. RESULTS: A total of 844 completed questionnaires were analyzed (response rate: 72.6%). The 12-month period-prevalence of MSD at any body site was 85.5%. MSD was most commonly reported at the shoulder (71.9%), followed by the lower back (71.3%), neck (54.7%), and upper back (33.9%). Alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and having children were shown to be significant risk factors, with adjusted Odds Ratios of 1.87 (95%CI: 1.17-2.96), 2.45 (95%CI: 1.43-4.35), and 2.53 (95%CI: 1.32-4.91), respectively. Workplace risk factors included manually handling patients (OR: 2.07 to 11.97) and undertaking physically laborious work (OR: 2.09 to 2.76). Nurses reporting pre-menstrual tension were 1.66 and 1.94 times more likely to suffer from lower back and upper back MSD, respectively. High mental pressure was also identified as a significant risk factor for MSD of the neck (OR: 1.53) and shoulder (OR: 2.07). IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The complex nature of MSD risk factors identified during this study suggests that remediation strategies which focus only on manual handling tasks would probably be suboptimal in reducing MSD among nurses. Therefore, to help alleviate their considerable MSD burden, a greater emphasis will need to be placed on job satisfaction, work organization, and occupational stress, as well as the more traditional hazard reduction strategies such as manual handling, work tasks, and other occupational factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Cervical spine disorders in farm workers requiring neck extension actions.

BACKGROUND: Cervical extension is considered a risk factor for provoking radicular and spinal cord compromise. However, there have been no reports on the relation between extension strain (ES) and cervical spine disorders: degenerative cervical spine disorders, dynamic canal stenosis (DCS), and cervical myelopathy. We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the relation. METHODS: Orthopedic examinations were performed on 177 grape-growers (ES-exposed group) and 191 eggplant-growers (control group) between May and August 2000; and patients with degenerative cervical spine disorders, DCS, and cervical myelopathy were identified in the two groups. ES, degenerative cervical spine disorders, DCS, and cervical myelopathy were regarded as exposure variables; and age, sex, and working years were regarded as confounders. In cases where the subject was exposed to each exposure variable, multivariate-adjusted odds ratios to degenerative cervical spine disorders, DCS, and cervical myelopathy and multivariate-adjusted odds ratios regarding cervical myelopathy as the dependent variable were calculated by unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed a significant odds ratio of ES to degenerative cervical spine disorders [2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-4.56]. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed significant odds ratios for DCS (4.50, 95% CI 2.03-9.96) and age (1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14) regarding cervical myelopathy as the dependent variable. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that ES of the cervical spine is a risk factor for degenerative cervical spine disorders, and DCS and the aging process are risk factors for cervical myelopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Hand dermatitis risk factors among clinical nurses in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to establish hand dermatitis (HD) risk factors among Japanese nurses. A questionnaire was administered to 1,162 clinical nurses, from whom 860 replies were received (response rate of 74.0%). Their overall HD prevalence was 53.3%. Several risk factors were identified: using latex gloves (odds ratio [OR] 1.9), allergies in adulthood (OR 2.7), urticaria as an adult (OR 1.5), atopic dermatitis as an adult (OR 2.7), any allergies to latex products (OR 5.2), skin irritation following contact with latex (OR 4.1), contact dermatitis following contact with latex (OR 3.5), family history of hay fever (OR 1.6), and family history of atopic dermatitis (OR 1.9). The use of hand cream was associated with a 50% reduction in HD risk (OR 0.5). In this study, we found that Japanese clinical nurses suffer a significant occupational burden from HD. As such, it is essential that hospital managers consider interventions to reduce this troublesome occupational disease among clinical nurses in Japan, as elsewhere.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Expired gas analysis during exercise testing pre-pneumonectomy.

PURPOSE: Expired gas analysis has enabled the successful prediction of postoperative complications in patients undergoing thoracic esophagectomy. We conducted this study to determine whether preoperative expired gas analysis during exercise testing can help identify patients at high risk of postoperative complications after pneumonectomy. METHODS: We measured the vital capacity, percent vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1.0 s, percent forced expiratory volume in 1.0 s, maximum oxygen uptake per minute, anaerobic threshold, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide in 27 patients scheduled to undergo pneumonectomy. Group A consisted of 18 patients without postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and group B consisted of 9 patients with postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. We compared preoperative cardiopulmonary data between these two groups. RESULTS: Postoperative cardiopulmonary complications developed in 9 of the 27 patients (33.3%), 3 (11%) of whom died. The maximum oxygen uptake and the anaerobic threshold were significantly higher in group A than in group B (P < 0.05), whereas spirometric pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas analysis showed no intergroup differences. CONCLUSION: Expired gas analysis during exercise testing can help identify patients at high risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after pneumonectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Effects of shift work on quality of sleep among retired workers].

To examine the relationship between shiftwork experience and quality of sleep after retirement, we carried out a self-reported questionnaire survey on 777 retired workers of a manufacturing company. Questionnaire items included past illness, current health status, dietary habit, alcohol drinking, smoking, regular exercise, sleep, working condition (job, shift work experience, shift work periods and side job), current working status, social activity, educational background, sex, age and number of years since retirement. Present health status (adjusted odds ratio 4.318, 95% CI 2.475-7.534), shift work experience (2.190, 1.211-3.953), present working status (1.913, 1.155-3.167) and dietary habit (1.653, 1.055-2.591) were significantly related to sleep disturbance after retirement by multiple logistic regression analysis. To prevent sleep disturbance after retirement, people should keep a regular lifestyle and good health status, especially ex-shift workers.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Musculoskeletal disorders among Chinese medical students.

We investigated the prevalence and distribution of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among Chinese medical students, by means of a questionnaire survey. A total of 207 questionnaires were successfully returned, giving a high response rate of 92.4%. The MSD period-prevalence at any body site was 67.6% in the previous year and 46.9% in the previous week. Almost one-third of them (31.9%), reported an ongoing MSD. By individual body site, the most commonly affected region was the lower back (40.1% in the last year), followed by the neck (33.8%) and shoulders (21.7%). The 7 day period-prevalence also followed a similar descending pattern, being reported by 20.8% at the lower back and 12.1% at both the neck and knees. MSD affected the daily life of students for an average period of 53.8 days, with an average of 6.6 sick days taken from school. Students reporting high mental pressure were 2.9 times more likely to suffer low back pain in the previous 12 months (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.4-5.9, P=0.0030). Overall, our study suggests that Chinese medical students are at reasonable MSD risk, although it is probably lower than for working physicians. Further investigations are now recommended to elucidate the MSD mechanisms and contributory factors among medical students in China, as elsewhere. A longitudinal study of MSD among a complete group of medical students would be very useful in this regard.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Alcohol and tobacco consumption among police officers.

Police occupy an important position within the community as both enforcers of the law and as role models for appropriate behavior. Despite this interesting juxtaposition, research has shown that they may consume alcohol and tobacco at rates higher than the general population. A significant causal factor is occupational stress, and the fact that police are regularly exposed to stressors beyond the range of normal human experiences. Given this ongoing and unavoidable relationship, the recognition and control of stress is paramount within law enforcement. Because police stressors are usually multi-faceted, health promotion interventions should focus on stress-reduction at both the institutional and individual level. Examples of health promotion strategies may include reducing overtime, carefully organizing shift rosters, streamlining administrative processes and allowing rest breaks for those on the night-shift. Interventions which focus on the individual are also important, because excess alcohol and tobacco consumption levels often relate to individual stress-coping mechanisms. Programs to help recognize and prevent excess alcohol and tobacco consumption may be worthwhile, as too, counseling, interpersonal support and critical incident debriefing. Promoting non-drinking and non-smoking stress-reduction activities where police can socialize and de-brief with their colleagues may be beneficial. Encouraging social events at sports clubs and gymnasiums has also been suggested. In order to achieve these goals however, governments will need to place a greater emphasis on the occupational health of police officers and the law enforcement agencies in which they work.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2005

Effect of impulse vibration on red blood cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the damage induced in red blood cells by exposure to impulse vibration. METHODS: The peak accelerations of impulse vibration included 50, 100, 200, 250 and 300 x 10(3) km/s2. A blood sample was put in a container filled with heparin so that there was no space inside. For each peak acceleration the exposure durations of 10, 20, and 30 minutes were used. The repetition rate of the impulses was 1 cycle per second (1 cycle/s). After the vibration exposure, the percentage of damaged red blood cells was calculated. Then the red blood cells were studied microscopically. RESULTS: Each vibration caused damage to red blood cells with all durations. The higher the peak acceleration and the longer the exposure duration, the more the damage to the red blood cells. Of the five impulse vibration levels with the three exposure durations, the largest damage was done by the vibration exposure with a peak acceleration of 300 km/s2 for 30 minutes with a mean value of 76.7% for the damaged cells, followed by the exposure with a peak acceleration of 300 km/s2 for 20 minutes with 55.5% of the cells being damaged. For exposure for 20 and 30 minutes, the vibration with peak accelerations of higher than 200 km/s2 provoked damage to red blood cells out of proportion to those with peak accelerations lower than 200 km/s2. CONCLUSIONS: Impulse vibration was shown in vitro to cause damage to red blood cells. It is suggested that the damage of red blood cells depends on both the peak acceleration and exposure duration of impulse vibration.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed2004

Preoperative spirometry versus expired gas analysis during exercise testing as predictors of cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection.

PURPOSE: As cardiopulmonary load increases with the amount of lung resected, to perform surgery safely it is important to be able to predict cardiopulmonary insufficiency. However, lung function testing with spirometry and blood gas analysis does not accurately measure cardiopulmonary reserve. We conducted this study to evaluate expired gas analysis during exercise testing for predicting postoperative complications after lung resection. METHODS: Expired gas analysis during exercise and spirometry were done 1 week preoperatively in 211 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer. Patients were divided postoperatively according to whether cardiopulmonary complications were absent (group A) or present (group B). RESULTS: In group B there were more men than women (P < 0.01), and the mean age was greater (P < 0.05). There was no difference in disease stage, but more patients underwent pneumonectomy in group B than in group A ( P < 0.005). The results of expired gas analysis during exercise testing and of spirometry showed that maximum oxygen uptake/m(2) (P < 0.0005), anaerobic threshold/m(2) (P < 0.01), vital capacity (VC)/m(2) (P < 0.005), %VC (P < 0.0001), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1.0))/m(2) (P < 0.0001), and FEV(1.0%) (P < 0.05) were lower in group B than in group A. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of expired gas analysis during exercise and conventional pulmonary function tests identified patients at risk for postoperative cardiopulmonary complications following pulmonary resection.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Small peripheral pulmonary carcinomas evaluated with dynamic MR imaging: correlation with tumor vascularity and prognosis.

PURPOSE: To correlate the findings at contrast material-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of small peripheral pulmonary carcinomas with tumor vascularity and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four patients with small peripheral pulmonary carcinomas who underwent surgical resection were examined retrospectively. Pathologic specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and elastin-van Gieson. CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed immunohistochemically. Delineated CD34-positive cells were counted as microvessels. Dynamic MR imaging was performed prior to and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 minutes after injection of a bolus of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The two observers reviewed all images, and two pathologists performed all histologic analyses; a decision was determined with consensus. The maximum enhancement ratio (MER), the time lapse between the completion of the injection and the point of maximum signal intensity (Tmax), the washout ratio, and the slope value of the time-signal intensity curve were correlated with the microvessel density. VEGF-positive and VEGF-negative tumors were compared. All statistical analyses were performed by using nonparametric methods. RESULTS: The MER and the slope value were positively correlated, and the Tmax was negatively correlated (Spearman rank test, P <.0001, all comparisons) with the microvessel counts. The distribution of elastic and collagen fibers correlated with the washout ratio (Kruskal-Wallis test, P <.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the slope value of VEGF-positive tumors and that of VEGF-negative tumors (Mann-Whitney U test, P <.0001). Patients with VEGF-positive tumors had a significantly shorter overall survival than did those with VEGF-negative tumors (log-rank test, P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Dynamic MR imaging findings correlate with tumor vascularity and may be helpful in the prediction of prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

A 2-year follow-up survey of health and life style in Japanese unemployed persons.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify how unemployment affects health and life style in Japanese unemployed persons. METHODS: A group of 768 workers over 40 years of age in a large shoemaking company were dismissed because of sudden bankruptcy. Every 6 months after they had left the company, a survey with questionnaires was performed on 473 of them, who had organized an association. The questionnaires contained queries about somatic and mental symptoms and life style, including sleep, diet, exercise, smoking and drinking habits. The data from 263 of 473 subjects responding to four consecutive surveys every 6 months were analyzed in detail. RESULTS: The subjects kept their health and daily life style in good condition. This might have been due to the financial support of unemployment benefit. When the right to unemployment benefit expired, mood disorders occurred. In daily life, the prevalence rates of smoking and drinking consumption hardly changed in all subjects, and physical exercise was also habitually undertaken. The motivation for re-employment was remarkably enhanced by family economic crisis. CONCLUSION: Health, except for mental status, and life style of the unemployed persons were maintained in good condition. Mood disorders may result from prolonged jobless situations and cessation of the right to unemployment benefit.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effect of cold ambient temperature on palmar sweating response to vibration stress.

We investigated the effect of cold ambient temperature on the palmar sweating response to vibration stress. Ten healthy, male subjects were exposed to eight ambient temperatures (5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 22, 24 and 28 degrees C). At each ambient temperature, each subject gripped the handle of a vibration generator with his left hand with a grasp strength of 49 N. This hand was then exposed to a 125-Hz sinusoidal vibration with an acceleration of 50 m/s(2) (rms) for 3 min at each ambient temperature. Palmar sweating and skin temperature were measured simultaneously on the palm and the fourth finger, respectively, of the subjects' right palm. The palmar sweating response showed a significant change among eight ambient temperatures. The palmar sweating measured at an ambient temperature of 5 degrees C was found to be significantly larger than those measured at 10, 14, 18, 22, 24 and 28 degrees C. Vibration exposure caused a significant increase in the palmar sweating response. Our results suggest that a cold environment plays a significant role in the palmar sweating response to vibration stress.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Frequency dependence of hand-arm vibration on palmar sweating response.

OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to elucidate the effects of hand-arm vibration frequency on palmar sweating response. METHODS: Palmar sweating was measured before and during vibration exposure on the right palm of six healthy men. The left hand was exposed for 3 minutes to the following root mean square (rms) acceleration magnitudes and frequencies of vibration: 5 m/s2 at 31.5 Hz, 10 m/s2 at 63 Hz, 20 m/s2 at 125 Hz, 40 m/s2 at 250 Hz, and 50 m/s2 at 315 Hz. According to international standard ISO 5349, these vibration levels generate the same frequency-weighted acceleration magnitude of 2.5 m/s2 rms. A control condition consisted of grasping a handle without vibration. As the index of the activated central nervous system, plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was measured before and immediately after each vibration exposure. RESULTS: Each condition of vibration induced a palmar sweating response. Among the six vibration conditions, vibration of 125 Hz and 63 Hz caused large palmar sweating responses compared with those of 315 Hz andthe control condition. Plasma MHPG did not increase significantly after either vibrationexposure. CONCLUSIONS: The palmar sweating response to vibration with the same frequency-weightedacceleration magnitude suggested dependency on frequency. The study suggests that the somatosympathetic reflex is associated with different palmar sweating responses.

Adult↗