Prevalence and associated factors of chronic constipation among Japanese university students.

Background: Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most frequently reported gastrointestinal disorders in the general population and a prominent problem among university students. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and the associated factors of CC among Japanese university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among university students at Hiroshima University, Japan. Students answered the web questionnaire when making a web reservation for the health checkup (April 1 to May 31, 2023). The web questionnaire consisted of four sections, including baseline characteristics, lifestyle factors, family history of CC, and three scales to assess depression and eating disorders: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT)-26 and Bulimic Investigatory Test (BITE). CC was diagnosed using Rome IV criteria. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine CC-related factors. Results: Out of 10,500 individuals who participated in the annual health checkup, 7,496 participants answered the web questionnaire, of whom 5,386 answered all the survey questions. The mean age of the students was 21.1 ± 4.1 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.17. The prevalence of CC was 13.7%. Factors significantly associated with CC in the multivariate model were first-degree family members with CC [Odd ratio (OR): 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.31-3.31], severe depression according to BDI scale (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.96-3.43), female sex (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.69-2.36), and short sleep duration of 6 hours or less per day (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.09-1.50). Lack of physical exercise tended to be associated with CC (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00-1.40). Conclusions: CC is prevalent among Japanese university students. Significant risk factors for CC included the first-degree family history of CC, severe depression, female sex, and short sleep duration. Lack of physical exercise tended to be associated with CC. This may contribute to implementing suitable education health programs, health care professionals, and public health policies to identify individuals at risk for CC to prevent and treat CC effectively.

Knowledge of common cancers among new-entry health science students in Japan and Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and mortality rates of cancer are rapidly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of common cancers among new-entry health science students in Japan and Vietnam, thereby providing insights for implementing appropriate medical educational interventions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among new-entry health science students at Hiroshima University, Japan, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A printed predesigned questionnaire consisting of eleven questions was distributed to the participants during the freshmen health screening at the beginning of the academic year to assess their knowledge of cancer. RESULTS: A total of 2,748 new-entry health science students participated in the study, including 394 (14.3%) Japanese students and 2,354 (85.7%) Vietnamese students. Most cancer knowledge levels in Japanese students were significantly higher than those in Vietnamese students (p < 0.001), except for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection awareness. For this understanding, only 14.8% of Japanese students selected the correct answer, which was significantly lower than the 22.4% of Vietnamese students (p = 0.001). Both the Japanese and Vietnamese students had limited knowledge regarding the connection between HPV infection and cancer and the link between estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy and breast cancer. Additionally, female students had better knowledge about breast, skin, and endometrial cancers than male students. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese students generally exhibited higher levels of cancer knowledge than Vietnamese students, except for HPV infection recognition. Both groups had limited knowledge regarding the connection between HPV infection and cancer and the relationship between estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy and breast cancer.

Real-World Effectiveness of a Booster Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccines among Japanese University Students.

With the spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), missing learning opportunities due to COVID-19 has been raised as a major concern for university education. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines among Japanese university students during the spread of the Omicron variant. We enrolled 249 students who became a close contact and 294 COVID-19-infected students though the Hiroshima University COVID-19 registration system. Infection rates of people in close contact with sick individuals and symptoms of infected students were examined. Close contacts who had received a booster dose showed a significantly lower infection rate (31%) compared with those with two doses (50%, p = 0.02) and the unvaccinated (71%, p = 0.002). Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios of receipt of a booster dose vs. two doses and unvaccinated were 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23−0.70, p = 0.001) and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.25−0.77, p = 0.004), respectively. The incidence of severe fever (38.5°C or higher) was significantly less prevalent in those with a booster dose (16%) compared with two doses (40%, p = 0.002) and those who were unvaccinated (75%, p < 0.0001). Booster doses reduced infection rates among close-contact students and can help students to avoid missing learning opportunities.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide predicts hospitalization for ischemic stroke in Japanese hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The association between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and stroke in Japanese hemodialysis (HD) outpatients is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigate whether high NT-proBNP levels are associated with future stroke events in this population. METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective observational study with post hoc analysis. Baseline NT-proBNP levels were measured at the first HD session of the week and classified into tertiles (first tertile: < 2255 pg/mL; second tertile: ≥ 2255 and < 5657 pg/mL; third tertile: ≥ 5657 pg/mL). Overall hospitalization-free survival rates were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. The association between NT-proBNP level and hospitalization for stroke was assessed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: During a 5-year follow-up of 1,229 patients, 103 (8.4%) were hospitalized and 23 (1.9%) died from stroke. The hospitalization-free survival rate for ischemic stroke was lowest in the third tertile (P < 0.01). The crude hazard ratio (HR) of hospitalization was higher in the third tertile compared with the first tertile for both ischemic stroke (HR: 3.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.08-7.37; P < 0.01) and hemorrhagic stroke (HR: 3.75; 95% CI 1.35-10.43; P = 0.01). On multivariate Cox hazard analysis, the adjusted HRs for ischemic stroke were higher in the third tertile. The hospitalization-free survival rates for hemorrhagic stroke and the adjusted HRs did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated NT-proBNP level was associated with hospitalization for ischemic stroke, suggesting that NT-proBNP level is a valid biomarker for predicting hospitalization for ischemic stroke in HD outpatients.

Different risk factors are associated with vascular access patency after construction and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients starting hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this multicenter, prospective observational study was to determine the factors related to patency rates after construction of vascular access (VA) and the first percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). METHODS: The 24-month primary and secondary patency rates after construction of a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The 12-month post-PTA patency rate was also investigated. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify clinical parameters associated with the primary patency rate and the post-PTA patency rate. RESULTS: A total of 611 patients were enrolled in the study. The primary patency rate after VA construction was lower in hemodialysis (HD) patients with an AVG than in those with an AVF. Aging (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02 per 1 year; p < 0.001), female sex (HR, 1.41; p = 0.03), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.37; p = 0.03), low serum albumin (HR, 0.76 per 1-g/dL decrease; p = 0.02), and use of an erythropoietin-stimulating agent (HR, 1.62; p = 0.02) were risk factors for VA problems. The post-PTA patency rate was associated with aging (HR, 1.02; p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.49; p = 0.02), polycystic kidney disease (HR, 2.14; p = 0.01), temporary catheter use for initiation of HD (HR, 1.60; p = 0.02), and period from VA construction to use (HR, 0.99; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Although a poor patency rate is commonly associated with advanced age and diabetes, different risk factors affect patency between VA construction and the first PTA.