Relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy and presenteeism in workers: a cross-sectional-study focusing on gender differences.

Presenteeism has been noted to be associated with cognitive factors of pain, such as pain catastrophizing (PC) and pain self-efficacy (PS). Pain perception differs by gender, so it is important to consider gender differences when examining the association between cognitive factors of pain and presenteeism. This study aimed to examine the association between presenteeism and cognitive factors of pain, taking gender differences into account. A cross-sectional survey of 305 workers was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire that included items on pain status, PC, PS, and work performance. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test whether PC and PS independently influence presenteeism, separately for men and women. Logistic regression analysis showed that PC was extracted in men, and the group with severe PC had higher odds of presenteeism (odds ratio 6.56, 95%confidence interval [CI] 1.83-23.40). Contrarily, PS was extracted in women, with higher odds of presenteeism in the moderate (odds ratio 2.54, 95%CI 1.01-6.39) and low (odds ratio 5.43, 95%CI 1.31-22.50) PS groups than in the high PS. This study showed that the cognitive factors of pain related to presenteeism may differ by gender.

[Comparison of medical care expenditure between participants and non-participants of exercise class for middle-aged and elderly women].

Objectives　This study aimed to compare and verify the medical care expenditure of participants and non-participants of exercise classes for middle-aged and elderly women.Methods　This study compares and analyzes the medical care expenditure of two groups. The total amount of outpatient treatment, pharmacies, and hospitalization expenditures will be referred to as medical care expenditure. The participating and control groups were 6,576 women aged between 60 and 69 years with a 4-year insurance by the National Health Insurance. The participating group composed 416 women who participated in the exercise class for 2 years and whose hospitalization and outpatient treatment expenditures for 1 year before the exercise class were 0 yen and <500,000 yen, respectively. The control group were matched with the participating group for 1:1 in age and medical care expenditure. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to compare the medical costs of the groups. The significance level was set at <5%.Result　In comparing the medical care expenditure between years, both groups had increased medical care expenditure and there was no significant difference in the medical care expenditure between the groups within each year; however, the increased medical care expenditure was lower in the participating group than that in the control group.　The outpatient treatment and pharmacies expenditures for aged <65 years who participated in ≥15 exercise classes in both years was significantly lower for the participating group compared to that of the control group of the same age group.　The hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in the participating group for all age groups and aged <65 years group after participating in exercise classes.Conclusion　Women who continually participate in exercise classes could further reduce their medical care expenditure, especially for those aged ≤65 years.

Perceptions of Factors Impacting Longevity among Hawai'i Older Adults.

With increased life expectancy, people need more education about healthy aging. This paper examines older adult perceptions regarding various factors impacting longevity, including genetics, lifestyle, and the environment. Data were collected from 733 Hawai'i adults age 50 years and older (39% Caucasian, 27% Japanese, 19% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHOPI), 9% Chinese, and 7% Filipino) through randomized telephone interviews. Participants were asked to rate a variety of factors as having "great impact," "some impact," or "no impact" on lifespan. Regardless of ethnicity, more than half of the participants felt that eating habits, exercise, health information, health care, and the environment had great impact on lifespan. Less than half felt that economic status and community had great impact. Compared to the all ethnic groups, Filipino respondents were significantly less likely to feel that smoking (44%, compared with an average across all race/ethnicities of 64%) and stress (48%, average 62%) had great impact. Chinese participants were more likely to feel that drinking alcohol (64%) had great impact (average 38%). Filipinos and Chinese were more likely to perceive that working conditions have great impact (65% and 56%, respectively; average 45%), and NHOPI and Filipinos were more likely to perceive the natural environment as having great impact (59% and 54%, respectively; average 46%). Findings suggest that cultural values and experiences may shape older adults' perceptions of factors associated with lifespan, providing guidance for health professionals on how to tailor health messages to older adults in different ethnic groups.