Association of depressive symptoms with incident fractures: the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation (JPHC-NEXT).

This 5-year longitudinal study investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and fracture risk in a large Japanese cohort. Depressive symptoms were a significant risk factor for hip fractures in women. PURPOSE: A relationship between depressive symptoms and fractures has not been clearly demonstrated. We aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and 5-year fracture risk in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation. METHODS: From 2011 to 2016, 114,092 participants were enrolled, and a follow-up survey was conducted 5 years later. We analyzed 30,552 men and 38,063 women aged 40-74 years who had no past fractures at baseline. Presence of depressive symptoms was defined as a modified 11-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score of 8 or higher, a history of depression, or use of antidepressants. Subjects were asked to report vertebral, upper limb, and/or hip fractures, except for traffic or work accidents, that occurred during the follow-up period. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for fracture were analyzed via logistic regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and fracture. RESULTS: Women with depressive symptoms demonstrated a high AOR for hip fractures (AOR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.30 - 5.92); this result was consistent in post menopause women. In men, this association was not found for any age group or any type of fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms in women may increase the risk of hip fractures. Further studies are required to explore this relationship in more detail.

Association of sugary drinks, carbonated beverages, vegetable and fruit juices, sweetened and black coffee, and green tea with subsequent depression: A five-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Evidence on the impact of beverage consumption on depression is limited in the Asian population. Specifically, there is little information available on vegetable and fruit juices, while whole vegetables and fruits are reportedly protective against depression. Furthermore, evidence is scarce in differentiating the impacts of sweetened and black coffee. We aimed to examine the association of the consumption of total sugary drinks, carbonated beverages, vegetable and fruit juices, sweetened and black coffee, and green tea with subsequent depression in a general population sample. METHODS: We studied individuals without a history of cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes, or depression at baseline in 2011-2016, with a five-year follow-up. We used Poisson regression models and the g-formula, thereby calculating the risk difference (RD) for depression. Multiple sensitivity analyses were conducted. Missing data were handled using random forest imputation. We also examined effect heterogeneity based on sex, age, and body mass index by analyzing the relative excess risk due to interaction and the ratio of risk ratios. RESULTS: In total, 94,873 individuals were evaluated, and 80,497 completed the five-year follow-up survey for depression. Of these, 18,172 showed depression. When comparing the high consumption group with the no consumption group, the fully adjusted RD (95% CI) was 3.6% (2.8% to 4.3%) for total sugary drinks, 3.5% (2.1% to 4.7%) for carbonated beverages, 2.3% (1.3% to 3.4%) for vegetable juice, 2.4% (1.1% to 3.6%) for 100% fruit juice, and 2.6% (1.9% to 3.5%) for sweetened coffee. In contrast, the fully adjusted RD (95% CI) was -1.7% (-2.6% to -0.7%) for black coffee. The fully adjusted RD for green tea did not reach statistical significance. The results were robust in multiple sensitivity analyses. We did not find substantial effect heterogeneity based on sex, age, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Total sugary drinks, carbonated beverages, vegetable and fruit juices, and sweetened coffee may increase the risk of depression, whereas black coffee may decrease it.

Associations between housing and psychological damage by earthquake and modifiable risk factors for dementia in general older adults: Tohoku Medical Megabank community-based cohort study.

AIM: To evaluate the association between housing and psychological damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and modifiable risk factors (MRFs) of dementia for general population of older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 29 039 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 69.1 ± 2.9 years, 55.5% women). We evaluated disaster-related damage (by complete or not complete housing damage) and psychological damage (by post-traumatic stress reaction [PTSR]) after the GEJE using a self-report questionnaire. MRFs encompassed the presence of depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, smoking, and diabetes. We examined the association between disaster-related damage and MRFs using ordinary least squares and modified Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and health status variables. RESULTS: Complete housing damage and PTSR were identified in 2704 (10.0%) and 855 (3.2%) individuals, respectively. The number of MRFs was significantly larger for the individuals with complete housing damage (ß = 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19-0.27) and PTSR (ß = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.53-0.67). Prevalence ratios (PRs) for depression and physical inactivity were higher in individuals with complete housing damage. The PRs for all domains of the MRFs were significantly higher in individuals with PTSR. CONCLUSIONS: Housing and psychological damage caused by the GEJE were associated with an increased risk factor of dementia. To attenuate the risk of dementia, especially among older victims who have experienced housing and psychological damage after a disaster, multidimensional support across various aspects of MRFs is required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

Changes in physical activity during the year after the Great East Japan Earthquake and future frailty in older survivors.

AIM: This study examines whether changes in physical activity (PA) during the first year after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (2011-2012) contributed to preventing the onset of future frailty among older survivors of the disaster. METHODS: This study tracked 2561 physically active Japanese survivors aged ≥ 65 years (43.6% men; mean age 72.9 years) who had completed self-administered questionnaires in 2011 and 2012. PA levels for participants were classified into four categories based on ≥23 and <23 metabolic equivalent hours/week in 2011 and 2012: "consistently low," "decreasing," "increasing," and "consistently high." Frailty was defined as a Kihon Checklist score ≥ 5, which is used in the long-term care insurance system in Japan. Hazard ratios were calculated for the onset of frailty using a Cox proportional hazards model that fitted the proportional sub-distribution hazards regression model with weights for competing risks of death. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2018, 283 men and 490 women developed frailty. Men with consistently high or increasing PA during the first year after the disaster had a lower risk of frailty. Furthermore, even increasing PA by walking for just 30 min/day prevented future frailty in men; however, this association between a change in PA and the decreased risk of frailty was not observed in women. CONCLUSIONS: Older men who remained physically active or resumed PA at an early stage and at a low intensity, even after being physically inactive owing to the disaster, were able to prevent future frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

GWAS meta-analysis of kidney function traits in Japanese populations.

BACKGROUND: Genetic epidemiological evidence for the kidney function traits in East Asian population including Japanese remain still relatively unclarified. Especially, the number of GWASs for kidney traits reported still remains limited, and the sample size of each independent study is relatively small. Given the genetic variability between ancestries/ethnicities, implementation of GWAS with sufficiently large sample sizes in specific population of Japanese is considered meaningful. METHODS: We conducted the GWAS meta-analyses of kidney traits by leveraging the GWAS summary data of the representative large genome cohort studies with about 200,000 Japanese participants (n = 202,406 for estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] and n = 200,845 for serum creatinine [SCr]). RESULTS: In the present GWAS meta-analysis, we identified 110 loci with 169 variants significantly associated with eGFR (on chromosomes 1-13 and 15-22; p < 5×10-8), whereas we also identified 112 loci with 176 variants significantly associated with SCr (on chromosomes 1-22; p < 5×10-8), of which one locus (more than 1Mb distant from known loci) with one variant (CD36 rs146148222 on chromosome 7) for SCr was considered as the truly novel finding. CONCLUSIONS: The present GWAS meta-analysis of largest genome cohort studies in Japanese provided some original genomic loci associated with kidney function in Japanese, which may contribute to the possible development of personalized prevention of kidney diseases based on genomic information in the near future.

The Health History of First-Degree Relatives' Dyslipidemia Can Affect Preferences and Intentions following the Return of Genomic Results for Monogenic Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Genetic testing is key in modern healthcare, particularly for monogenic disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia. This Tohoku Medical Megabank Project study explored the impact of first-degree relatives' dyslipidemia history on individual responses to familial hypercholesterolemia genomic results. Involving 214 participants and using Japan's 3.5KJPN genome reference panel, the study assessed preferences and intentions regarding familial hypercholesterolemia genetic testing results. The data revealed a significant inclination among participants with a family history of dyslipidemia to share their genetic test results, with more than 80% of participants intending to share positive results with their partners and children and 98.1% acknowledging the usefulness of positive results for personal health management. The study underscores the importance of family health history in genetic-testing perceptions, highlighting the need for family-centered approaches in genetic counseling and healthcare. Notable study limitations include the regional scope and reliance on questionnaire data. The study results emphasize the association between family health history and genetic-testing attitudes and decisions.

Relationship between traditional risk factors for hypertension and systolic blood pressure in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based Cohort Study.

Risk factors for hypertension have been emphasized in the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension. However, large-scale studies on the association of smoking, potassium excretion, and gamma-glutamyl transferase level with BP in the Japanese population are limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between hypertension risk factors and systolic blood pressure in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based Cohort Study (23,446 men and 38,921 women aged ≥20 years). A model adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking status, drinking status, estimated daily salt intake, potassium excretion, (or urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio), gamma-glutamyl transferase, physical activity, education level, status of damage to homes during the Great East Japan Earthquake, and residential areas was used. The average age and systolic blood pressure were 62.5 (10.3) years for men and 59.6 (11.3) years for women, 128.9 (16.7) mmHg for men and 124.7 (17.5) mmHg for women, respectively. Body mass index estimated daily salt intake, urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Compared with never-drinkers, current drinkers who consumed 23-45 g/day and ≥46.0 g/day had significantly increased systolic blood pressure. Conversely, current smokers (1-10 cigarettes/day and 11-20 cigarettes/day) were inversely associated with systolic blood pressure compared to never-smokers. Overall, systolic blood pressure was associated with gamma-glutamyl transferase and hypertension risk factors, including body mass index, alcohol consumption, estimated daily salt intake, urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio, and potassium excretion. Our findings support the notion that lifestyle modifications should be attempted to prevent hypertension.

Relation between a history of glaucoma and subjective happiness: the JPHC-Next study.

OBJECTIVE: This population-based, cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the relationship between a history of glaucoma and subjective happiness. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of 92 397 Japanese men and women aged 40-74 who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation study. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the ORs of glaucoma associated with subjective happiness and their two-sided 95% CIs. RESULTS: Among 40 727 men and 51 670 women, 1733 participants (635 men, 1098 women) had a history of glaucoma. The odds of unhappiness in male participants with a history of glaucoma were higher (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.51) than in female participants (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.23). In a subgroup analysis stratified by age, among participants with a history of glaucoma, males in the younger group (40-59 years) showed the most robust association with unhappiness (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.88). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a history of glaucoma is related with subjective unhappiness, especially in men.

Genetic architecture of alcohol consumption identified by a genotype-stratified GWAS and impact on esophageal cancer risk in Japanese people.

An East Asian-specific variant on aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2 rs671, G>A) is the major genetic determinant of alcohol consumption. We performed an rs671 genotype-stratified genome-wide association study meta-analysis of alcohol consumption in 175,672 Japanese individuals to explore gene-gene interactions with rs671 behind drinking behavior. The analysis identified three genome-wide significant loci (GCKR, KLB, and ADH1B) in wild-type homozygotes and six (GCKR, ADH1B, ALDH1B1, ALDH1A1, ALDH2, and GOT2) in heterozygotes, with five showing genome-wide significant interaction with rs671. Genetic correlation analyses revealed ancestry-specific genetic architecture in heterozygotes. Of the discovered loci, four (GCKR, ADH1B, ALDH1A1, and ALDH2) were suggested to interact with rs671 in the risk of esophageal cancer, a representative alcohol-related disease. Our results identify the genotype-specific genetic architecture of alcohol consumption and reveal its potential impact on alcohol-related disease risk.

Association between birth weight and prevalence of cardiovascular disease and other lifestyle-related diseases among Japanese population: JPHC-NEXT Study.

BACKGROUND: An association between birth weight and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood has been observed in many countries; however, only a few studies have been conducted in Asian populations. METHODS: We used data from the baseline survey (2011-2016) of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation Cohort, which included 114,105 participants aged 40-74 years. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from the prevalence of present and past histories of CVD and other lifestyle-related diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and gout, by birth weight, using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of CVD increased with lower birth weight, with the highest prevalence among those with birth weight under 1,500 grams (males 4.6%; females 1.7%) and the lowest one among those with birth weight at or over 4,000g (males 3.7%: females 0.8%). Among 88.653 participants (41,156 males and 47,497 females) with complete data on possible confounders, birth weight under 1,500g was associated with a higher prevalence of CVD (aPR 1.76 [95%CI 1.37-2.26]), hypertension (aPR 1.29 [95%CI 1.17-1.42]), and diabetes (aPR 1.53 [95%CI 1.26-1.86]) when a birth weight of 3,000-3,999 grams was used as the reference. Weaker associations were observed for birth weight of 1500-2499 grams and 2500-2999 grams, while no significant associations were observed for birth weight at or over 4000 g. The association between birth weight and the prevalence of hyperlipidemia was less profound, and no significant association was observed between birth weight and gout. CONCLUSION: Lower birth weight was associated with a higher prevalence of CVD, hypertension, and diabetes in the Japanese population.

Association between vascular endothelial dysfunction and stroke incidence in the general Japanese population: Results from the tohoku medical megabank community-based cohort study.

Background: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measures vascular endothelial function by evaluating the vasodilatory response of blood vessels to increased blood flow. Nevertheless, the association between FMD and stroke incidence in a general population remains unclear. This study investigated the association between vascular endothelial function and stroke incidence in the general Japanese population. Methods: Based on cohort data from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based Cohort Study, participants aged ≥18 years were recruited from Iwate Prefecture, with the final sample comprising 2952 subjects. Results: The FMD level was 0.5%-27.1%, with a median of 5.0% (interquartile, 4.2%-11.3%). The mean follow-up period was 5.5 ± 1.8 years (range, 0.6-6.9 years). After dividing the participants into two subgroups according to the median FMD value, a multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusting for gender, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and hemoglobin A1c revealed that a lower FMD value was strongly associated with incidences of total stroke (hazard ratio[HR] = 2.13, 95% confidence interval[CI] = 1.48-3.07, p < 0.001), ischemic stroke (HR = 3.33, 95%CI = 2.00-5.52, p < 0.001), nonlacunar stroke (HR = 2.77, 95%CI = 1.49-5.16, p = 0.001), and lacunar stroke (HR = 5.12, 95%CI = 1.74-16.05, p = 0.003). Conclusions: This study showed that a low FMD value might reflect vascular endothelial dysfunction and then was associated with ischemic stroke incidence in the general Japanese population, suggesting that FMD can be used as a tool to identify future stroke risk.

Rapid weight change as a predictor of disability among community-dwelling Japanese older adults.

AIM: To fill the knowledge gap regarding weight change and the onset of disability in community-dwelling Japanese older adults, we investigated the potential effects of rapid weight change on disability risk as defined by Japan's long-term care insurance (LTCI) system. METHODS: We analyzed data from a longitudinal study of 10 375 community-dwelling older Japanese adults (≥65 years) who were not LTCI needs certified at baseline and joined the study from 2002 to 2005. Weight change (percentage) was calculated by subtracting participants' weight in the previous year from that measured during a physical examination at study commencement. The five weight-change categories ranged from sizable weight loss (≤ -8.0%) to sizable weight gain (≥ +8.0%). Disability was defined according to LTCI certifications at follow-up. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for new-onset disability using a Cox proportional hazards model that fitted the proportional subdistribution hazards regression model with weights for competing risks of death. RESULTS: During the mean 10.5-year follow-up, 2994 participants developed a disability. Sizable weight loss (HR [95% confidence intervals], 1.41 [1.17-1.71]) and weight loss (1.20 [1.05-1.36]) were significant predictors of disability onset. Sizable weight gain (1.45 [1.07-1.97]) corresponded to severe disability. Stratified analyses by lifestyle and initial body mass index categories revealed more pronounced associations between weight change and disability risk in the unhealthy lifestyle and below initial normal body mass index groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid and sizable weight gain could be additional criteria for disability risk in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 809-816.

Longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms associated with social isolation after the Great East Japan Earthquake in Iwate Prefecture: findings from the TMM CommCohort study.

BACKGROUND: Whether past disaster experiences affect the association between changes in social isolation and depressive symptoms is largely unknown. This study examined the association between changes in social isolation and depressive symptoms among survivors who experienced earthquake damage in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal data from 10,314 participants who responded to self-report questionnaires on the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Scale (CES-D) in both the baseline survey (FY2013 to FY2015) and follow-up survey (FY2017 to FY2019) after the GEJE. According to changes in the presence of social isolation (< 12 of LSNS-6) at two time points, participants were categorized into four groups: "not socially isolated," "improved socially isolated," "newly socially isolated," and "continuously socially isolated." At the follow-up survey, a CES-D score of ≥ 16 indicates the presence of depressive symptoms. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the logistic regression analysis to examine the influence of the change in social isolation over four years on depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Participants who were newly socially isolated had a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those who were not socially isolated (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.61 - 2.23). In addition, AORs were highest for those who were continuously socially isolated and had experienced house damage (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.73 - 2.72) and those who were newly socially isolated and had not experienced the death of family members due to the GEJE (AOR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.60 - 2.22). CONCLUSION: Our longitudinal findings suggest that being newly or continuously socially isolated is associated with a risk of depressive symptoms, not only among those who had experienced house damage or the death of a family member, but also those who had not, in the disaster-affected area. Our study underlines the clinical importance of social isolation after a large-scale natural disaster and draws attention to the need for appropriate prevention measures.

Investigating the association between glycaemic traits and colorectal cancer in the Japanese population using Mendelian randomisation.

Observational studies suggest that abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance contribute to colorectal cancer; however, the causal association remains unknown, particularly in Asian populations. A two-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis was performed to determine the causal association between genetic variants associated with elevated fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and fasting C-peptide and colorectal cancer risk. In the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-exposure analysis, we meta-analysed study-level genome-wide associations of fasting glucose (~ 17,289 individuals), HbA1c (~ 52,802 individuals), and fasting C-peptide (1,666 individuals) levels from the Japanese Consortium of Genetic Epidemiology studies. The odds ratios of colorectal cancer were 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-1.04, P = 0.34) for fasting glucose (per 1 mg/dL increment), 1.02 (95% CI, 0.60-1.73, P = 0.95) for HbA1c (per 1% increment), and 1.47 (95% CI, 0.97-2.24, P = 0.06) for fasting C-peptide (per 1 log increment). Sensitivity analyses, including Mendelian randomisation-Egger and weighted-median approaches, revealed no significant association between glycaemic characteristics and colorectal cancer (P > 0.20). In this study, genetically predicted glycaemic characteristics were not significantly related to colorectal cancer risk. The potential association between insulin resistance and colorectal cancer should be validated in further studies.

Human Plasma Xanthine Oxidoreductase Activity in Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence from a Population-Based Study.

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and its products contribute to the development of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Excessive XOR activity is believed to promote inflammatory responses and atherosclerotic plaque formation, which are major cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanisms of XOR activity in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coupled with the complexity of the relationship between XOR activity and the biological effects of uric acid; reactive oxygen species; and nitric oxide, which are the major products of XOR activity, have long been debated, but have not yet been clearly elucidated. Recently, a system for measuring highly sensitive XOR activity in human plasma was established, and there has been progress in the research on the mechanisms of XOR activity. In addition, there are accumulating findings about the relationship between XOR activity and CVD. In this narrative review, we summarize existing knowledge regarding plasma XOR activity and its relationship with CVD and discuss future perspectives.

Dietary behaviours and related lifestyles according to the presence or absence of skipping breakfast in Japanese adults: the JPHC-NEXT study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess dietary behaviours and related lifestyles according to the presence or absence of skipping breakfast. DESIGN: We analysed the cross-sectional data from a baseline survey of a large-scale population-based cohort study in Japan conducted in 2011-2016. Participants provided information on dietary behaviours and lifestyles through a self-administered questionnaire. Skipping breakfast was defined as not eating breakfast at least once a week and was classified according to the frequency of skipping breakfast as 1-2, 3-4 or ≥5 times/week. SETTING: Sixteen municipalities in seven prefectural areas across Japan under the Japan Public Health Centre-based prospective study for the Next Generation. PARTICIPANTS: 112 785 residents (51 952 males and 60 833 females) aged 40-74 years. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, socio-demographic status, drinking status and smoking status, individuals who skipped breakfast at least once a week, compared with those who ate breakfast every day, were more likely to have adverse dietary behaviours such as frequent eating out (multivariable OR = 2·08, 95 % CI (1·96, 2·21) in males and 2·15, 95 % CI (1·99, 2·33) in females), frequent eating instant foods (1·89, 95 % CI (1·77, 2·01) in males and 1·72, 95 % CI (1·56, 1·89) in females). They had late bedtime (1·85, 95 % CI (1·75, 1·95) in males and 1·98, 95 % CI (1·86, 2·11) in females) and living alone (2·37, 95 % CI (2·17, 2·58) in males and 2·02, 95 % CI (1·83, 2·21) in females), using the logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Both adult males and females who skipped breakfast were likely to eat out, to have a dietary habit of eating instant foods and have lifestyles such as late bedtime and living alone than those who ate breakfast.

Association between the extent of house collapse and urine sodium-to-potassium ratio of victims affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: a cross-sectional study.

People who experience natural disasters have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the association between the extent of house collapse and urine sodium-to-potassium (UNa/K) ratio of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake victims. We used the baseline survey data of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Community-Based Cohort Study of 29 542 individuals (aged 20-74 years) residing in the affected areas. The UNa/K ratio was calculated using spot urinary electrolyte values. Analysis of covariance was used to calculate the multivariate-adjusted geometric means of the UNa/K ratio in the following groups stratified according to the self-reported extent of house collapse: total collapse (TC), half collapse (HC), partial collapse (PC), and no damage (ND). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for a high UNa/K ratio were calculated using logistic regression. The TC, HC, PC, and ND groups comprised 5 359 (18.1%), 3 576 (12.1%), 7 331 (24.8%), and 13 276 (44.9%) participants, respectively. The TC (3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.28-3.38), HC (3.37; 3.30-3.43), and PC (3.32; 3.28-3.37) groups had significantly higher multivariate-adjusted geometric means of the UNa/K ratio than the ND (3.24; 3.21-3.27) group. The multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for a high UNa/K ratio in the TC, HC, and PC groups vs. the ND group were 1.07 (0.99-1.15), 1.20 (1.11-1.31), and 1.20 (1.12-1.28), respectively. Similar associations between house collapse and UNa/K ratio were observed for both sexes. We report that victims of a natural disaster tend to have a diet with high sodium-to-potassium ratio.

Long-term Response of Helicobacter pylori Antibody Titer After Eradication Treatment in Middle-aged Japanese: JPHC-NEXT Study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an established causative factor of gastric cancer. Although the expansion of insurance coverage has led to an increase in the number of patients treated for H. pylori, the population impact of eradication treatment for H. pylori has been scarcely investigated. This study aimed to clarify the long-term responses of H. pylori antibody titer after eradication treatment using large scale cross-sectional data from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation (JPHC-NEXT Study). METHODS: A total of 55,282 Japanese participants aged 40 to 74 years residing in 16 areas provided blood samples from 2011 through 2016. From these, treated (n = 6,276) and untreated subjects who were seropositive for H. pylori or had serological atrophy (n = 22,420) formed the study population (n = 28,696). Seropositivity was defined as an anti-H. pylori IgG titer of ≥10 U/mL. Antibody level was compared among subjects according to self-reported treatment history as untreated, and treated for less than 1 year (<1Y), 1 through 5 years (1-5Y), and 6 or more years ago (6Y+). RESULTS: Median serum antibody titer was 34.0 U/mL, 7.9 U/mL, 4.0 U/mL, and 2.9 U/mL for the untreated, <1Y, 1-5Y, and 6Y+ groups, respectively. While those treated for H. pylori within the previous year had a 76.8% lower antibody titer compared to untreated subjects, approximately 41% of subjects were still seropositive. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in H. pylori antibody titer occurs within 1 year after eradication treatment, but that a long period is needed to achieve complete negative conversion.

Association Between Glycemic Traits and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Mendelian Randomization Study in the Japanese Population.

PURPOSE: A meta-analysis suggests a relationship between abnormal glucose metabolism and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG); however, the causal association between them remains controversial. We therefore conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess the causal association between genetically predicted glycemic traits and the risk of POAG. DESIGN: Two-sample MR design. METHODS: We examined the genetically predicted measures of fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and fasting C-peptide, in relation to POAG. For the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-exposure analyses, we meta-analyzed the study-level genome-wide associations of fasting glucose levels (n = 17,289; n of SNPs = 34), HbA1c (n = 52,802; n of SNPs = 43), and fasting C-peptide levels (n=1666; n of SNPs = 17) from the Japanese Consortium of Genetic Epidemiology studies. We used summary statistics from the BioBank Japan projects (n = 3980 POAG cases and 18,815 controls) for the SNP-outcome association. RESULTS: We observed no association of genetically predicted HbA1c and fasting C-peptide with POAG. The MR inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) odds ratios (ORs) were 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-2.65; P = .25) for HbA1c (per 1% increment) and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.56-1.53; P = .76) for fasting C-peptide (per 2-fold increment). A significant association between fasting glucose (per 10 mg/dL-increment) and POAG was observed according to the MR IVW analysis (OR = 1.48 [95% CI, 1.10-1.79, P = .009]); however, sensitivity analyses, including MR-Egger and weighted-median methods, did not support this association (P > .10). CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe strong evidence to support the association between genetically predicted glycemic traits and POAG in the Japanese population.