Lack of women physician representation in the Japanese Society of Hospital General Medicine.

Background: The increasing number of women physicians is in contrast to their underrepresentation in academic positions and professional associations. This study aimed to evaluate the status of women physicians in the Japanese Society of Hospital General Medicine (JHGM) based on society membership, board membership, and annual meeting authorship. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted. Information on women physicians, society and board membership, and annual meeting authorship was collected. Data from the Japanese Primary Care Association (JPCA) served as the control. The gender of authors with accepted abstracts in the JHGM and JPCA annual meetings was determined by name or Internet search. Results: In the JHGM, 14.2% of members were women physicians, compared to 19.1% in the JPCA (p < 0.001). None of the 21 JHGM board members were women, compared to 20.5% in the JPCA (p < 0.001). The average number of years of experience was significantly higher for the JHGM board members than for the JPCA board members (37.0 vs. 28.1 years, p < 0.001). Women first authors in the 2022-2023 JHGM meeting comprised 17.9%, significantly lower than the 28.4% in the 2023 JPCA meeting (p = 0.002). Similar patterns were seen for women last authors (6.0% in the JHGM vs. 18.8% in the JPCA, p < 0.001) and women chairpersons (17.9% in the JHGM vs. 40.3% in the JPCA, p = 0.036). Conclusions: The JHGM has low women representation in society and board membership, and annual meeting authorship. Strategies are needed to enhance diversity and inclusion by increasing women's participation and leadership in the JHGM.

The short and long-term efficacy of nurse-led interventions for improving blood pressure control in people with hypertension in primary care settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous systematic reviews suggest that nurse-led interventions improve short-term blood pressure (BP) control for people with hypertension. However, the long-term effects, adverse events, and appropriate target BP level are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of nurse-led interventions. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and CINAHL, as well as three Japanese article databases, as relevant randomized controlled trials from the oldest possible to March 2021. This search was conducted on 17 April 2021. We did an update search on 17 October 2023. We included studies on adults aged 18 years or older with hypertension. The treatments of interest were community-based nurse-led BP control interventions in addition to primary physician-provided care as usual. The comparator was usual care only. Primary outcomes were long-term achievement of BP control goals and serious adverse events (range: 27 weeks to 3 years). Secondary outcomes were short-term achievement of BP control goals and serious adverse events (range: 4 to 26 weeks), change of systolic and diastolic BP from baseline, medication adherence, incidence of hypertensive complications, and total mortality. RESULTS: We included 35 studies. Nurse-led interventions improved long-term BP control (RR 1.10, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.18). However, no significant differences were found in the short-term effects of nurse-led intervention compared to usual care about BP targets. Little information on serious adverse events was available. There was no difference in mortality at both terms between the two groups. Establishing the appropriate target BP from the extant trials was impossible. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-led interventions may be more effective than usual care for achieving BP control at long-term follow-up. It is important to continue lifestyle modification for people with hypertension. We must pay attention to adverse events, and more studies examining appropriate BP targets are needed. Nurse-led care represents an important complement to primary physician-led usual care.

Lifestyle Factors Associated With Erosive Esophagitis in Japanese Individuals With and Without Obesity Undergoing Health Checkups.

BACKGROUND: Several lifestyle factors have been reported to be associated with erosive esophagitis (EE). Many studies examined the associated factors for EE independent of obesity. However, lifestyle factors associated with EE might differ depending on sex or the presence of obesity. This study thus aimed to investigate the lifestyle risk factors for EE stratified by obesity and sex. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Japanese people who underwent an annual health checkup at the Oita Health Checkup Center between 2019 and 2021. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with EE in participants stratified by sex and the presence of obesity. RESULTS: EE was diagnosed in 676 of 5240 participants (12.9%) who were analyzed, and occurred most often in males (601 cases). The percentage of obesity based on body mass index was significantly higher among EE than non-EE participants (50.3% and 26.5%, P < .001). In obese males, eating just before bedtime (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.01-1.78) and hiatal hernia (OR = 3.42, 95% CI 2.57-4.54) were significantly associated with EE in multivariate analysis. In non-obese males, current smoking (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07-2.04), alcohol consumption of 40 to 60 g/day (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.11-2.30), and hiatal hernia (OR = 3.63, 95% CI 2.79-4.73) were significantly associated with EE. CONCLUSIONS: We found that factors associated with EE were different between obese and non-obese males. In obese males, avoiding going to bed within 2 h after dinner might contribute to preventing the occurrence of EE. In non-obese males, prevention of obesity, quitting smoking, and avoiding heavy alcohol consumption might be important for preventing the development of EE.

Imiquimod for Cervical and Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment efficacy and the risk of adverse events of imiquimod for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), compared with placebo or no intervention. DATA SOURCES: We searched Cochrane, PubMed, ISRCTN registry, ClinicalTrials.gov , and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform up to November 23, 2022. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized controlled trials and prospective nonrandomized studies with control arms that investigated the efficacy of imiquimod for histologically confirmed CIN or VAIN. The primary outcomes were histologic regression of the disease (primary efficacy outcome) and treatment discontinuation due to side effects (primary safety outcome). We estimated pooled odds ratios (ORs) of imiquimod, compared with placebo or no intervention. We also conducted a meta-analysis of the proportions of patients with adverse events in the imiquimod arms. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Four studies contributed to the pooled OR for the primary efficacy outcome. An additional four studies were available for meta-analyses of proportions in the imiquimod arm. Imiquimod was associated with increased probability of regression (pooled OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.08-7.89). Pooled OR for CIN in the three studies was 4.27 (95% CI 2.11-8.66); results of one study were available for VAIN (OR, 2.67, 95% CI 0.36-19.71). Pooled probability for primary safety outcome in the imiquimod arm was 0.07 (95% CI 0.03-0.14). The pooled probabilities (95% CI) of secondary outcomes were 0.51 (0.20-0.81) for fever, 0.53 (0.31-0.73) for arthralgia or myalgia, 0.31 (0.18-0.47) for abdominal pain, 0.28 (0.09-0.61) for abnormal vaginal discharge or genital bleeding, 0.48 (0.16-0.82) for vulvovaginal pain, and 0.02 (0.01-0.06) for vaginal ulceration. CONCLUSION: Imiquimod was found to be effective for CIN, whereas data on VAIN were limited. Although local and systemic complications are common, treatment discontinuation is infrequent. Thus, imiquimod is potentially an alternative therapy to surgery for CIN. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42022377982.

Positive Rate and Utility of Blood Culture among Nursing and Healthcare-associated Pneumonia Inpatients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective Although blood cultures to identify the presence of bacteremia are recommended for nursing- and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP), the incidence of true bacteremia and the relationship between true bacteremia and the outcome remain unclear. Physicians can therefore sometimes be confused regarding whether or not blood cultures should be obtained for NHCAP patients. This study assessed the incidence of true bacteremia and the relationship between true bacteremia and the outcome of NHCAP in a Japanese hospital setting. Methods We retrospectively analyzed NHCAP patients hospitalized between April 2016 and March 2021. The primary outcome was the incidence of true bacteremia in blood cultures. The incidence of true bacteremia was also examined according to quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and A-DROP scores. In addition, we compared the incidence of true bacteremia between survivors and non-survivors. Results In total, 205 patients were included in this study. Blood cultures were obtained from 150 of the 205 patients (73.2%). Positive blood cultures were detected in 26 patients (17.3%), of which only 8 cases (5.3%; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-10.2%) were considered true bacteremia. Trend analyses for the incidence of true bacteremia according to qSOFA and A-DROP scores did not show any statistically significant results (p=0.49 for qSOFA; p=0.14 for A-DROP). The proportion of true bacteremia cases did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions The incidence of true bacteremia among NHCAP patients was very low. A strategy for determining indications for obtaining blood cultures from NHCAP patients needs to be established.

Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia and IFN-γ neutralizing antibodies: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection usually occurs in immunodeficient patients, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus infection and idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia. However, disseminated NTM diseases have also been reported in immunocompetent patients. Autoantibodies to interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) are known to be involved in disseminated NTM disease, although anti-IFN-γ antibodies are mainly seen in immunocompetent patients rather than those with immunodeficiency. Here, we report a rare case of disseminated NTM patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia and anti-IFN-γ antibodies. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Asian male presented with fever, back pain, anorexia and weight loss. Physical examination revealed subcutaneous masses in the forehead, sternoclavicular joint, and right inguinal region. Computed tomography showed multiple osteosclerotic changes with soft structures and osteolytic changes. Both blood and sputum cultures were positive for Mycobacterium intracellulare, confirming the presence of disseminated NTM infection. Histopathological evaluation of the subcutaneous mass in the right inguinal region showed numerous granulomas consisting of epithelioid cells with Langhans-type giant cells. He was diagnosed with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia. Interestingly, he also had anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies with suppression of IFN-γ-dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation. Two-drug combination therapy with clarithromycin and ethambutol was started for the NTM infection, which resulted in a favorable disease course. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with disseminated NTM infection, idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia and anti-IFN-γ autoantibody-positive immunodeficiency can be coexisted. It is necessary to clarify the pathogenesis and clinical course of CD4 lymphocytopenic conditions and IFN-γ neutralizing antibody-positive in the disseminated NTM disease.

Assessment of blinding in randomized controlled trials of antidepressants for depressive disorders 2000-2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of antidepressants, blinding can be broken due to the apparent side effects, and unsuccessful blinding can lead to overestimation of effect sizes. New generation antidepressants with less severe side effects may be less susceptible to broken blinding. However, successfulness of blinding in new generation antidepressant trials and its influence on trial effect size estimates remain unclear. Methods: Extending a previous systematic review assessing blinding successfulness in psychiatric trials (2000-2010), we searched PubMed/Medline for double-blinded antidepressant RCTs (2010-2020) for trials assessing blinding success. Our primary outcome was the degree of blinding successfulness, measured as kappa statistics between guesses and true allocations. We used random-effects meta-analysis to synthesize studies. We used meta-regression and Pearson's r to examine the relationship between blinding success and effect sizes. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021249973). Findings: Among 154 eligible studies, 11 (7·1%) contained information on blinding assessment between 2010 and 2020. Five studies were added from the previous review, and altogether nine of the 16 studies provided usable data. Agreement in individual studies ranged from κ=-0·14 to 0·38. The summary agreement between guesses and the truth was 0·21 (95% CI: 0·14 to 0·28) among patients and 0·17 (95% CI: 0·05 to 0·30) among assessors. Blinding success was not associated with effect size (patients: r = 0·37, p = 0·32; assessors: r = 0·28; p = 0·72). Meta-regression also failed to find a significant relationship between blinding success and depression effect sizes (ß=0·06, p = 0·09). Interpretation: Less than 10% of the antidepressant RCTs reported blinding assessment. The results in new generation antidepressant trials indicated that patients and assessors were unlikely to be able to judge treatment allocation. There was little evidence that the extent of unblinding biased the effect size estimates of new generation antidepressants. Funding: None.

Bacteremia caused by Enterobacter asburiae misidentified biochemically as Cronobacter sakazakii and accurately identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Biochemical analyses of causative bacteria do not always result in clear identification, and new technologies aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy continue to be developed. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry is a rapid and accurate technique for bacterial identification. Misidentification of Cronobacter sakazakii is related to clinical and industrial problems. Here, we encountered a case of rare bacteremia in which the causative organism Enterobacter asburiae was biochemically misidentified as C. sakazakii before being correctly identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. CASE PRESENTATION: An 87-year-old Asian man with no diabetes or active disease developed bacteremia and was admitted to our hospital. While the route of infection could not be determined despite various examinations, the clinical course was good following antibiotic therapy. Biochemical analyses identified the causative organism as C. sakazakii, but colonies on the blood agar medium showed a grayish coloration, differing from the yellowish coloration of typical Cronobacter colonies. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was therefore performed, identifying the bacterium as E. asburiae on three independent analyses. This result was confirmed by multilocus sequence analysis using five housekeeping genes. CONCLUSIONS: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry may reduce misidentification of bacteria as C. sakazakii and improve the reporting rate of E. asburiae. This technique should be considered when biochemical bacterial misidentification is suspected.