Comparison of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hospital and community-based Japanese patients with schizophrenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lifestyle factors, such as an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity, may affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients among schizophrenic population in Japan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited inpatients (n = 759) and outpatients (n = 427) with a <it>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</it>, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from 7 psychiatric hospitals using a cross-sectional design. MetS prevalence was assessed using three different definitions, including the adapted National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III-A).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall MetS prevalences based on the ATP III-A definition were 15.8% in inpatients and 48.1% in outpatients. In a logistic regression model with age and body mass index as covariates, being a schizophrenic outpatient, compared to being a schizophrenic inpatient, was a significant independent factor (odds ratio = 3.66 for males, 2.48 for females) in the development of MetS under the ATP III-A definition. The difference in MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients was observed for all age groups in males and for females over 40 years of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Japan had a high prevalence of MetS compared to inpatients. MetS in schizophrenic outpatients should be carefully monitored to minimize the risks. A change of lifestyle might improve MetS in schizophrenic patients.</p

Psychiatric assessment of suicide attempters in Japan: a pilot study at a critical emergency unit in an urban area

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of suicide has increased markedly in Japan since 1998. As psychological autopsy is not generally accepted in Japan, surveys of suicide attempts, an established risk factor of suicide, are highly regarded. We have carried out this study to gain insight into the psychiatric aspects of those attempting suicide in Japan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three hundred and twenty consecutive cases of attempted suicide who were admitted to an urban emergency department were interviewed, with the focus on psychosocial background and DSM-IV diagnosis. Moreover, they were divided into two groups according to the method of attempted suicide in terms of lethality, and the two groups were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ninety-five percent of patients received a psychiatric diagnosis: 81% of subjects met the criteria for an axis I disorder. The most frequent diagnosis was mood disorder. The mean age was higher and living alone more common in the high-lethality group. Middle-aged men tended to have a higher prevalence of mood disorders.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first large-scale study of cases of attempted suicide since the dramatic increase in suicides began in Japan. The identification and introduction of treatments for psychiatric disorders at emergency departments has been indicated to be important in suicide prevention.</p

「農業体験学習事業」 農業体験を通した地域連携による家政学群学生の学び 平成23（2011）～ 25（2013）年度和洋女子大学教育振興支援助成成果報告

平成23年度から同25年度に和洋女子大学教育振興支援助成を受け、農業体験を通して家政学群学生の学びを促進した。体験実習にあたり、学外の農業従事者、自治体（長野県立科町、千葉県市川市、千葉県神崎町）の農業担当職員や農業委員、JA職員、農業に関するNPO法人スタッフ、静岡大学、千葉大学の関係者など、様々な地域の方々と交流し、指導されて実践した農業体験により、学生はコミュニケーション能力や連携力を身につけた。また、農作物や花を育てる方法を学び、食べ物や花を育てることは生きている植物を自然と共生しながら育てることであることを認識し、農業の大変さと喜びも体験した。学内では農業ファッション制作の活動も行い、農業する女性のための作業服づくりを初めて体験し、専門技術の修得にも繋げた。また、収穫物から加工食品を開発、販売する活動も行い、地域の人たちから高い評価を受けた。現場での作業体験は学生同士や教員と学生間の協力や協調の体験となり、同時に様々な活動体験から実践力、判断力などの育成に繋がった。これらの農業体験を通して実施した実践的学習は、家政学を学ぶ学生に大きな刺激と成長をもたらしたと考える。本稿では本取り組みにおける家政学群学生の学びの内容と学生の様子について報告した

Effects of ABCB1 gene polymorphisms on autonomic nervous system activity during atypical antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia

Abstract Background There are interindividual differences in the adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics, which include autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Accordingly, to clarify the interindividual differences in the adverse effects of specific atypical antipsychotics in schizophrenia, we investigated the association between ANS dysfunction and ATP-binding cassette transport sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1) gene polymorphisms in patients with schizophrenia. Methods In total, 233 Japanese patients with schizophrenia participated in this study. All of the participants received an atypical antipsychotic as monotherapy: 89 participants received risperidone, 69 olanzapine, 48 aripiprazole, and 27 quetiapine. ANS activity was assessed by means of a power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ABCB1 (rs1045642, rs1128503, rs2032582, and rs2235048) were genotyped using the TaqMan method. Results For aripiprazole, sympathetic and total autonomic nervous activities were significantly lower in the rs1045642 T allele carrier–rs2235048 C allele carrier group than in the rs1045642 non-T allele carrier–rs2235048 non-C allele carrier group. In addition, in the aripiprazole group, the T-C-T-A haplotype (rs1045642-rs2235048-rs1128503-rs2032582) was associated with decreased ANS activity. However, there were no significant associations between ANS activity and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms in the risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sympathetic and total nervous activities were significantly associated with the ABCB1 rs1045642–rs2235048 genotype and the T-C-T-A haplotype (rs1045642-rs2235048-rs1128503-rs2032582). Conclusion We suggest that ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms affect aripiprazole-related ANS dysfunction but do not affect risperidone-, olanzapine-, or quetiapine-related ANS dysfunction