Gender-specific factors associated with the Japanese version of the trail making test among Japanese workers.

[Purpose] The Trail Making Test is a valuable tool for predicting the transition from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate gender-specific factors associated with the Trail Making Test using body composition and motor function among Japanese workers. [Participants and Methods] Demographic data, body composition, motor function, and cognitive and attentional functions (Trail Making Test, Part B) were analyzed among 627 workers who underwent health assessments during the 2019 fiscal year. After conducting univariate analysis, multiple regression analysis was performed. [Results] The presence of metabolic syndrome risk factors was found to significantly prolonged the performance time of the Trail Making Test-B in male workers. In addition, low fat-free mass and the 30-second chair stand test also significantly prolonged the performance time of the Trail Making Test-B in male workers. Among female workers, the presence of metabolic syndrome risk factors affected the performance time of the Trail Making Test-B. Therefore, MetS risk factors affect the performance times of the Trail Making Test-B in both male and female workers. [Conclusion] As male and female workers exhibit different body composition and motor function items in the Trail Making Test-B, gender differences should be considered when formulating measures to prevent cognitive and attentional decline.

Differences in determinants affecting longitudinal change of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity due to differences in baseline among Japanese male workers.

[Purpose] No study has examined whether the determinants of longitudinal changes in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity differ depending on the baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values. Therefore, this study aimed to extract these determinants in high- and low-value groups based on the FY2014 brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 97 male workers who underwent continuous health assessments from FY2014 to four years later. Their demographic, lifestyle, body-composition, and hemodynamic data were recorded. First-year data were subtracted from data obtained four years later for each continuous variable item, and the difference divided by the number of years was considered as the annual change. Based on the first-year median brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, participants were classified into high- and low-brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity groups, i.e., high- and low-value groups, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the annual change in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity serving as the dependent variable for both groups. [Results] In comparison with the values obtained in the first year, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity obtained four years later increased significantly in the low-value group and tended to increase in the high-value group. Increased visceral fat area in the high-value group and increased diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the low-value group were associated with worsening brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. [Conclusion] The determinants of longitudinal changes in the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity differed depending on the baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values.

Age-Specific Determinants of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity among Male Japanese Workers.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a public health challenge. Arterial stiffness is an index that indicates the risk of developing CVD. The lifestyle habits of working generations vary greatly with age; however, no study has examined the age-specific determinants of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an index of arterial stiffness. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to identify the age-specific determinants of baPWV. From 2014 to 2017 fiscal years, health measurements were conducted at seven companies. Overall, 1,403 men, aged between 25 and 64 years, were categorized according to age. Their lifestyle habits, body composition, and hemodynamics were recorded. Multiple regression analyses using the stepwise method revealed that higher baPWV was associated with increasing age. baPWV was also increased with increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate across all age groups. The increased baPWV was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome component factors in the age group of 45-54 years, high smoking index in the age groups of 25-44 years and 55-64 years, low body mass index in the 55-64 age group, and low skeletal muscle index in the 35-54 age group. Total physical activity was inversely associated with baPWV in the two age groups of 45-54 and 55-64 years. In conclusion, hemodynamics significantly affected baPWV across all ages, while smoking index, total physical activity, body mass index, and skeletal muscle index affected baPWV depending on the age group. Thus, age-related strategies should be established for alleviating baPWV increase.