[Medical service systems for tuberculosis in low-incidence countries].

OBJECTIVES: Currently, Japan has a near low incidence of tuberculosis (TB); the incidence is below 20/100,000. Considering this incidence, the medical service provision system needs to be restructured and related policies need to be revised. The Revised National Guidelines for TB Control, issued in May 2011 by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, provided the policy towards achieving a low incidence of TB. This study aims to provide suggestions for restructuring the medical service system in Japan by analyzing the systems in selected countries with low incidence. METHOD: Between 2004 and 2010, we conducted tours to study TB control and medical services in the UK, the USA, Germany, The Netherlands, and Norway. In these tours, we visited the medical facilities, agencies implementing preventive activities, health departments of central and local governments, reference laboratories, technical agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other organizations involved in TB control in these countries. In addition, we collected information from published papers and related documents through the internet. This paper reports the policies and strategies adopted in these low-incidence countries, especially pertaining to medical service systems, directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) services, hospital beds and facilities, objectives and duration of hospitalization, and mechanisms for maintaining quality medical services. RESULTS: In all the visited countries, except Germany, TB patients were diagnosed and treated, as well as provided support such as DOTS, by a single organization or agency. In the US and Norway, DOTs was provided to all TB patients at chest centers and/or health centers. On the other hand, in the UK, guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) stated that DOT is not necessary for managing most active TB cases. In these countries there were 3 modes of treating infectious patients: home isolation, hospitalization for the first 2 weeks after initiating treatment, and hospitalization until smear examination results are negative. None of the countries had official standards for hospitalization. Measures to maintain service quality were integrating service providers, strengthening technical support, training and/or educating experts, and networking of personnel in charge. DISCUSSION: The study tours were conducted over 6 years, but no follow-up surveys were conducted. In each visit, we visited only a limited number of medical facilities, which may not be representative of that country. Obviously, this report does not aim to be a comparative study but to provide useful information for discussing the future direction of the medical service system in Japan. In Japan, TB is diagnosed and treated in hospitals and clinics, but contact surveys and other preventive activities are conducted in health centers. In this regard, Japan seems to be unique in that the ways to achieve collaboration among hospitals, health centers, and related organizations are emphasized in the revised National Guidelines for TB Control. Regardless of the DOT target group of a patient, healthcare providers in Japan are expected to ensure patient's adherence through patient-centered support in order to achieve successful treatment. In Japan, the central Government is expected to take responsibility to prevent infection. We suggest that the standards for lengths of hospital stay of TB patients should be revised such that the lengths are based on each patient's bacteriological condition and social setting. The revised National Guidelines for TB Control provide frameworks for ensuring the quality of medical services, but further discussions are warranted in order to plan and implement an effective strategy.

Tuberculosis infection among homeless persons and caregivers in a high-tuberculosis-prevalence area in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem. The Airin district of Osaka City has a large population of homeless persons and caregivers and is estimated to be the largest TB-endemic area in the intermediate-prevalence country, Japan. However, there have been few studies of homeless persons and caregivers. The objective of this study is to detect active TB and to assess the prevalence and risk factors for latent TB infection among homeless persons and caregivers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study for screening TB infection (active and latent TB infections) using questionnaire, chest X-ray (CXR), newly available assay for latent TB infection (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube; QFT) and clinical evaluation by physicians at the Osaka Socio-Medical Center Hospital between July 2007 and March 2008. Homeless persons and caregivers, aged 30-74 years old, who had not received CXR examination within one year, were recruited. As for risk factors of latent TB infection, the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for QFT-positivity were calculated using logistic regression model. RESULTS: Complete responses were available from 436 individuals (263 homeless persons and 173 caregivers). Four active TB cases (1.5%) among homeless persons were found, while there were no cases among caregivers. Out of these four, three had positive QFT results. One hundred and thirty-three (50.6%) homeless persons and 42 (24.3%) caregivers had positive QFT results. In multivariate analysis, QFT-positivity was independently associated with a long time spent in the Airin district: ≥10 years versus <10 years for homeless (OR = 2.53; 95% CI, 1.39-4.61) and for caregivers (OR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.05-5.13), and the past exposure to TB patients for caregivers (OR = 3.21; 95% CI, 1.30-7.91) but not for homeless persons (OR = 1.51; 95% CI, 0.71-3.21). CONCLUSIONS: Although no active TB was found for caregivers, one-quarter of them had latent TB infection. In addition to homeless persons, caregivers need examinations for latent TB infection as well as active TB and careful follow-up, especially when they have spent a long time in a TB-endemic area and/or have been exposed to TB patients.

Oral health status among low-income people admitted to Osaka Socio-Medical Center in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the dental condition, perceived oral symptoms, and frequency of dental visits among low-income people admitted to Osaka Socio-Medical Center (OMSC) and to compare with Japanese national survey respondents. METHODS: Oral health examinations for inpatients admitted to OMSC were performed from August to November 2004. In total, 113 inpatients who were in the recovery period without acute symptoms, were selected. RESULTS: 109 inpatients received dental examination. All participants were male. About half of the subjects (49%) did not have any medical insurance, and the percentage of subjects who had 20 or more teeth was smaller than in a national survey in all age groups. The subjects had a higher reported frequency of oral symptoms compared with respondents to the national survey. Accessibility to dental clinics among subjects was notably low. CONCLUSION: Dental condition and perceived oral symptoms among the subjects were poor compared to national survey respondents. Dental care to improve the oral health condition of this segment of the population is needed.

[Characteristics of suicides according to prehospital records in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate suicides, both completed and attempted, in communities according to prehospital records. METHODS: A total of 246 suicide attempts made by 196 persons were confirmed by examination of the pre-hospital records of Kishiwada City Fire and Emergency Department between April 2004 and March 2006. We investigated these cases for distribution of sex, age, suicide methods, month, day of the week and the time emergency services were called. RESULTS: Within the group of 196 persons, completed suicides accounted for 52 (32 males and 20 females), and attempted suicides for 144 (32 males and 112 females). Female suicide attempts were often repeated during the period of the investigation. Completed male suicides were middle-aged or elderly, while completed female suicides were mainly in their forties. Attempted male suicides showed a wide age distribution, while almost all attempted female suicides were in their twenties or thirties. The most common methods for completed male suicides were hanging and gassing, while those for completed female suicides were hanging and jumping. The most common methods of attempted male and female suicides were slashing of an arm or a leg, and drug overdose. As for month of the year, completed male suicides often occurred in April, May and June, while completed females suicides were often committed in November. Attempted male suicides often occurred in July, August, and September, while attempted female suicides often occurred in January, August, and September. As for the day of the week, completed male suicides frequently occurred on Monday and Wednesday, while those by females were most often perpetrated on Sunday. Attempted male suicides were often committed on Friday, while attempted female suicides were often performed on Monday and Tuesday. As for the time emergency services were called, for completed suicides, these were often in early morning to afternoon for both male and female victims. For attempted male suicides, they were typically in the morning and evening, and quite a few females attempted suicide in the morning. CONCLUSION: Most suicide attempts for which ambulances were dispatched were committed by females. Females attempting suicide were younger than their male counterparts, and they frequently made repeated suicide attempts. Introduction of measures for suicide prevention considering these points is a high priority.

Prehospital score for acute disease: a community-based observational study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Ambulance usage in Japan has increased consistently because it is free under the national health insurance system. The introduction of refusal for ambulance transfer is being debated nationally. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between prehospital data and hospitalization outcome for acute disease patients, and to develop a simple prehospital evaluation tool using prehospital data for Japan's emergency medical service system. METHODS: The subjects were 9,160 consecutive acute disease patients aged >= 15 years who were transferred to hospital by Kishiwada City Fire Department ambulance between July 2004 and March 2006. The relationship between prehospital data (age, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, level of consciousness, SpO2 level and ability to walk) and outcome (hospitalization or non-hospitalization) was analyzed using logistic regression models. The prehospital score component of each item of prehospital data was determined by beta coefficients. Eligible patients were scored retrospectively and the distribution of outcome was examined. For patients transported to the two main hospitals, outcome after hospitalization was also confirmed. RESULTS: A total of 8,330 (91%) patients were retrospectively evaluated using a prehospital score with a maximum value of 14. The percentage of patients requiring hospitalization rose from 9% with score = 0 to 100% with score = 14. With a cut-off point score >= 2, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 97%, 16%, 39% and 89%, respectively. Among the 6,498 patients transported to the two main hospitals, there were no deaths at scores <= 1 and the proportion of non-hospitalization was over 90%. The proportion of deaths increased rapidly at scores >= 11. CONCLUSION: The prehospital score could be a useful tool for deciding the refusal of ambulance transfer in Japan's emergency medical service system.

[Significance of tuberculosis screening of outpatients in areas with high prevalence of tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: The Osaka Socio-Medical Center Hospital is a medical care facility located in the Airin area of Osaka city where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high, and treats day laborers and homeless people mainly, either free of charge or with a small fee. To investigate whether this hospital can play a role to reduce the prevalence of tuberculosis in this area, we investigated the case rate of active tuberculosis in outpatients of the hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Of 1673 patients who first visited the Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinic between March 31, 2005 and June 15, 2006, 538 patients consented to undergo screening and underwent chest X-ray examination (screening group). We also analyzed chest X-ray examination in 2000 patients examined at the Department of Internal Medicine during the same period (control group). RESULTS: Of the 538 patients in the screening group (523 males and 15 females), 13 male patients (2.4%) requiring treatment were detected. Of the 2000 patients in the control group, 85 patients (84 males and 1 female) (4.3%) requiring treatment were detected. CONCLUSION: The tuberculosis case rate (2.4%) in the screening group was similar to that of tuberculosis screenings (1.1-1.8%) in the Airin area in 2004. The case rate in the control group was two times higher. Since the prevalence is very high in patients of this hospital, the hospital should play a significant role in the health care of tuberculosis patients in this community by reinforcing the screening system and enriching the outpatient clinic system.

[Tuberculosis and its control measures for homeless people: implementation of chest X-ray examination for three successive years].

PURPOSE: To clarify the status of tuberculosis and its control measures for homeless people. OBJECT AN METHODS: Chest X-ray examinations were conducted for 1,309, 1,545, 1,546 homeless people, annually between 2003 and 2005. RESULTS: Homeless people with old tuberculous foci accounted for about 30%, and about 2% were judged to need immediate medical treatment. Thirty cases needed treatment in 2005, and thirteen of these twenty cases had shown healed tuberculous shadows at the previous examinations. The annual incidence rate (3/20) of tuberculosis cases among persons with Type IV (inactive) lesions in 857 participants in both 2004 and 2005 was 11.2 times higher than the rate (8/597) among those who did not show chest X-ray abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The annual incidence of tuberculosis among persons with Type IV lesions was higher than those who did not show chest radiographic abnormalities. It is thus necessary to establish prophylactic treatment criteria for persons with Type IV lesions by using a new method such as QFT.

Factors associated with "Ikigai" among members of a public temporary employment agency for seniors (Silver Human Resources Centre) in Japan; gender differences.

BACKGROUND: "Ikigai" is culturally defined in the society of Japan as a comprehensive concept describing subjective well-being. It is considered to be related to life-satisfaction, self-esteem, morale, happiness as well as evaluation towards meaning of one's life. Although previous studies examined factors associated with Ikigai with smaller samples, consistent results have not been obtained, especially from the viewpoint of gender differences. Identification of gender-specific factors related with Ikigai among the elderly, may be of value to enhance subjective well-being. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among 4,737 randomly selected members of the Silver Human Resources Centre (SHRC), a public temporary employment agency for seniors, in Osaka, Japan. This represents about 10% of all registered members (n = 41,593) in the 38 SHRC centres in Osaka. A total of 4,376 subjects (male: 2,913; female: 1,463) provided a satisfactory response to the questionnaire (response rate: 92%). The status whether they have "Ikigai" or not was evaluated by self-anchoring scale ranging from 0 to 5 (0 = lowest rate and 5 = highest rate of having "Ikigai"). Also, self-rated life-change score through work (-3 to 3) was evaluated by three items, i.e.) changes in (1) the number of friends through work, (2) social interests and (3) the quantity of conversation with others (1 = increase, 0 = no change, and -1 = decrease). RESULTS: The factors associated with "Ikigai" for total subjects were the number of rooms in one's residence, annual income, healthy life style score (Breslow), the number of working days through SHRC, satisfaction with one's life history and life-change sore through work. The multivariable odds ratio (95% CI) of having "Ikigai" was 1.9 (1.1-3.3) for persons with no change in life thorough work compared with subjects with a score of < or = -1. Moreover, the multivariable odds ratios were 3.5 (1.9-6.6) for a life-change score = 1, 3.1 (1.7-5.7) for a score = 2 and 7.8 (4.0-15.2) for a score = 3 compared with persons with a score of < or = -1. For male subjects, other factors associated with having "Ikigai" were the number of rooms in their residence, annual income, the number of working days through SHRC, subjective assessment of health condition, and degree of satisfaction with their life history. For female, the corresponding factors were the presence of a spouse and degree of satisfaction with their life history. CONCLUSION: Scores for life-changes through work were associated with a higher prevalence of having "Ikigai" for both male and female. For male, "Ikigai" tended to be associated with physical condition and socioeconomic factors such as the size of their residence or annual income, while for female, family relations such as having spouse and psychological factors such as satisfaction with one's life history were significant factors. In spite of the design limitations of this study, it is possible to conclude that the recognition of life change through obtaining work may enhance "Ikigai" among people who wish to engage in productive activities in their later stages of life for both male and female. SHRC has a potential to provide resources for fulfilling one's "Ikigai" through supporting working opportunities to realize life changes for both elder male and female.

Metabolic syndrome and risk of isolated ST-T abnormalities and type 2 diabetes in Japanese male office workers.

Using a modified National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) definition of the metabolic syndrome (MS) with body mass index instead of waist circumference, we examined the associations of the MS with the risk of developing ST-T abnormalities in 3405 Japanese men aged 35-59 yr who did not have a history of cardiovascular disease or ST-T abnormalities. Of 3405 participants, 3166 men without type 2 diabetes (as diagnosed with the revised criteria of American Diabetes Association) also constituted a non-diabetic cohort. Examinations including electrocardiogram and fasting plasma glucose were repeated annually for 7 subsequent years. The subjects were classified as having ST-T abnormalities or type 2 diabetes when evidence of either of these disorders was found during at least 2 consecutive annual examinations. After adjustment for potential risk factors, the relative risks of ST-T abnormalities were 1.0 (referent), 2.66, 3.07, 4.27, and 8.40 for the presence of 0, 1, 2, 3, and > or =24 components of the MS, respectively (P for trend <0.001). The corresponding results for the risk of type 2 diabetes were 1.0 (referent), 3.49, 7.45, 15.00, and 24.04 (P for trend <0.001). The estimated incident rates for men in the low-WBC count (<7.3 x 10(9) cells/L)/no MS, high-WBC count (> or =7.3 x 10(9) cells/L)/no MS, low-WBC count/yes MS, and high-WBC count/yes MS were 3.4%, 4.6%, 7.4%, and 13.1% for ST-T abnormalities, respectively and were 3.6%, 7.1%, 18.0%, and 27.2% for type 2 diabetes, respectively. The respective multivariate-adjusted relative risks were 1.0 (referent), 1.26, 2.07, and 3.45 for ST-T abnormalities and were 1.0 (referent), 1.75, 5.14, and 6.90 for type 2 diabetes. A modified NCEP MS definition predicts ST-T abnormalities and type 2 diabetes. WBC count adds clinically important information to new-onset ST-T abnormalities and type 2 diabetes.

Cigarette smoking and the risk of the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged Japanese male office workers.

To examine the association between cigarette smoking and the risk of the metabolic syndrome (MS), 3649 Japanese male office workers aged 35-59 yr who did not have a history of cardiovascular disease were enrolled in this study. 2994 men without the MS at entry were followed up over a 7-yr period. A modified National Cholesterol Education Program definition with body mass index instead of waist circumference was used for the MS. With adjustment for age, family history of diabetes, alcohol intake, and regular physical activity, the odds ratios of the MS were 1.0 (referent), 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.68), 1.07 (95% CI, 0.82-1.39), 1.17 (95% CI, 0.88-1.56), and 1.66 (95% CI, 1.24-2.20) for never smokers, ex-smokers, and those who smoked 1-20 cigarettes/d, 21-30 cigarettes/d, and > or =31 cigarettes/d, respectively (P for trend for current smokers only =0.006). As for the risk of developing the MS, the respective multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios of developing the MS were 1.0 (referent), 1.43 (95% CI, 1.14-1.79), 1.14 (95% CI, 0.91-1.44), 1.45 (95% CI, 1.14-1.84), and 1.59 (95% CI, 1.24-2.05) (P for trend for current smokers only =0.001). Among men without the MS at entry, body weight gain over 7 yr, compared with never smokers, was significantly higher in smokers who quit smoking. It is important for the prevention of the MS not only to quit smoking but also to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation.

Relationship between self-assessed masticatory disability and 9-year mortality in a cohort of community-residing elderly people.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between self-assessed masticatory disability and mortality. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Community based. PARTICIPANTS: Total of 1,405 randomly selected people aged 65 and older living in Settsu, Osaka Prefecture, in October 1992. MEASUREMENTS: Data on health status as indicated by disability scores, history of health management, self-assessed masticatory ability, and psychosocial conditions were collected by means of interviews during home visits at the time of enrollment. Nine-year follow-up was completed for 1,245 (88.6%; 398 deceased and 847 alive). RESULTS: Self-assessed masticatory disability was significantly associated with being 75 and older, having overall disability, not using dental health checks or general health checks, not participating in social activities, not feeling that life is worth living (no ikigai), and finding relationships with people difficult. As for the association between self-assessed masticatory disability and mortality, the estimated survival rate for those with self-assessed masticatory disability was lower than that for those without for each group stratified by sex and age (65-74 and >or=75), and the equality of survival curves according to self-assessed masticatory disability was significant for each group. After controlling for potential predictors of mortality, self-assessed masticatory disability remained as a significant predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio=1.63, 95% confidence interval=1.30-2.03, P<.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that self-assessed masticatory disability may be associated with a greater risk of mortality in community-residing elderly people.

[Factors promoting follow-up services after medical examinations by municipal governments].

OBJECTIVE: All Japanese municipal governments have a responsibility to conduct a medical examination for their residents aged 40 or more under the Health Services for the Elderly Act since 1984. According to the results of the medical examination, municipal governments should give appropriate follow up services to all users. The objective of this study was to find the factors promoting follow up services after medical examinations conducted by municipal governments. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Mailed questionnaire surveys on follow up services after medical examination were sent out to all 3,255 municipal governments in Japan. The 2,447 municipal governments that answered all items on the questionnaire were enrolled in this study. Follow-up services by municipal government for persons with abnormal findings at medical examinations included "Suggestion to have a more detailed examination", "Confirmation of having had a detailed examination", "Individual health consultation", and "Home visit for medical guidance". These follow-up services were analysed in terms of the number of public health nurses per population and whether a continuous data set was maintained for medical examinations. RESULTS: Follow-up services were conducted more frequently in municipalities that maintained continuous data sets of medical examination than those that did not. They were also carried out more frequently in municipalities with higher numbers of health visitors per population than in those with lower numbers. The percentage of municipal governments that maintained continuous data of medical examinations was higher among those that conducted group medical examinations than those that conducted individual medical examinations at local medical facilities. CONCLUSION: Follow-up services after medical examinations by municipal governments showed a significant relationship with maintenance of a continuous data set of medical examinations and the number of public health nurses.

Components of the metabolic syndrome as predictors of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Japanese men.

To determine whether the clustered features of the metabolic syndrome precede the 7 year incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes, we examined 6182 Japanese male office workers aged 35-59 years without any history of CVD. The 5588 subjects without type 2 diabetes also constituted the nondiabetic cohort, and were re-examined over seven successive years. Components of the metabolic syndrome included glycemic disorder (type 2 diabetes for the risk of CVD and impaired fasting glucose for the risk of type 2 diabetes), systemic obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, proteinuria, and elevated white blood cell (WBC) count. After controlling for age, family history of diabetes, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking, the multivariate-adjusted relative risk of incidence of CVD compared with absence of components was 3.18, 3.48, 12.55, and 14.15 (P for trend <0.001), for the presence of 1,2,3, and > or =4 components, respectively. The corresponding relative risks of incidence of type 2 diabetes were 1.92, 4.36, 6.44, and 15.08 (P for trend <0.001). In both non-smokers and current smokers, the multivariate-adjusted relative risks of incidence of CVD and type 2 diabetes increased as the number of components increased (P for trend <0.001 for all). Our findings indicate that clustered features of the metabolic syndrome are closely associated with development of CVD and type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Japanese.

[Relationship between utilization of health notebooks and the elderly population rate among Japanese municipal governments].

OBJECTIVE: Health conditions are changing rapidly in aging societies and an essential health service by municipal governments is to promote the utilization of health notebooks in support of the health of individuals. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between utilization of health notebooks and rates for elderly among Japanese municipal governments. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Questionnaires on the utilization of health notebooks were mailed to all 3,255 municipal governments in Japan. The 2,445 that filled in all items on the questionnaire were enrolled in this study. Questions concerned opportunities for utilizing health notebooks when residents received health education/guidance, health examinations, home visits, or welfare service. If they answered "Frequent use" for these opportunities, one point was given. Furthermore, if they answered that they filled in the results of residents' health examination into health notebooks, one point was given. If a municipal government got 4 points or more, this municipality was classified as "health notebooks frequently used". RESULTS: The percentage of municipalities defined as "health notebooks frequently used" was higher among municipal governments with a high rate of elderly residents than with a lower rate. The odds ratio for being classified as "health notebooks frequently used" was higher among municipal government with high rates for the elderly and public health nurses per elderly person than with low rates. CONCLUSION: With increase in the percentage of elderly residents, municipal governments need to promote their health services in support of residents' health. To improve the utilization of health notebooks, municipalities should increase the number of public health nurses.

Multiple risk factor clustering and risk of hypertension in Japanese male office workers.

Major risk factors associated with hypertension (a family history of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, and increased white blood cell counts) were assessed in 5275 Japanese male office workers aged 23-59 years. After controlling for potential risk factors of hypertension, the odds ratio of hypertension compared with the absence of risk factors was 1.91, 2.65, 3.88, 6.54, and 8.18 for the presence of 1, 2, 3, 4, and > or = 5 risk factors, respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels also increased in a dose-dependent manner as the number of risk factors increased. Among men not taking antihypertensive medication, the adjusted mean differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mmHg) were 11.2 and 9.2 between men with the presence of > or = 5 risk factors and men without risk factors, respectively. These results indicate that the accumulation of risk factors is highly associated with the increased risk of hypertension in Japanese men.

[Tuberculosis control and strategy as an urban problem].

Tuberculosis is always an urban problem. There are differences in the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis in relation to socio-economic groups. The percentages of cases shown to be positive by smear microscopy of acid-fast bacilli in their sputum specimens and of cases with cavitary lesions in the lungs were high for the lower socio-economic group. The percentage of cases having had chest X-ray examination within the preceding year was low for the lower socioeconomic group. The Osaka metropolitan area consists of many prefectures and cities. Osaka City is in the center of this great metropolis. Registered cases of each zone had statistically differences about social characteristics. This result was thought to reflect the population of each zone. Cooperative common political will against tuberculosis in this area is needed to promote tuberculosis control. We analyzed the incidence rate in Osaka City in five-year from 1978 to 1997. Until the first half of 1980, the tuberculosis incidence rate in Osaka City had been dropping every year, but the rate of decline has been slowed substantially or even stopped since 1983. The slowdown in the reduction of the tuberculosis incidence rate has occurred not in all wards, but in a few wards and it is a typical phenomenon of the middle-aged in those wards. Such tuberculosis among employees in an insecure position has a growing urban social problem. It is important to establish the cooperation between medical facilities and public health centers within the territory of tuberculosis hospitals in an urban area. The sources of tuberculosis infection in an urban area are quite diverse and complicated. We shall utilize a molecular epidemiologic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Associations between white blood cell count and features of the metabolic syndrome in Japanese male office workers.

We assessed the association of white blood cell (WBC) count with different components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in 5275 Japanese male office workers aged 23-59 years. There was a significantly crude correlation between WBC count and body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (negative), triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and uric acid (all P<0.001). After controlling for potential confounding factors, the adjusted means of WBC count were significantly higher in subjects with each feature of the MS (obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting plasma glucose levels, and hyperuricemia) (all P<0.005). The adjusted WBC count increments in subjects with 1, 2, 3, 4, and > or = 5 features of the MS were 0.28, 0.45, 0.68, 0.76, and 1.40 x 10(9) cells/l, respectively, compared with the subjects without features of the MS (P for trend<0.001). The adjusted means of WBC count increased significantly with the increasing number of features of the MS in both non-smokers and smokers (both P<0.001). These data indicate a strong association between WBC count and a number of disorders characterizing the MS independent of cigarette smoking among Japanese men.