Evaluation of Quality of Life in Japanese Normal Pregnant Women

To evaluate QOL changes during pregnancy in developed country, we analyzed 159 pregnant Japanese women (67 nulliparous and 92 multiparous) who had no complications during pregnancy. Subjects were asked to complete the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) every 4 weeks up to 24 weeks of gestation, and every 2 weeks from 24 weeks of gestation until delivery. Subscales that reflect "Physical functioning (p?0.001)", "Role-physical (p?0.001)" and "Bodily pain (p?0.001)" showed significant declines throughout the entire pregnancy. On the other hand, subscales that reflect "Vitality," "General health" and "Mental health" did not change substantially with gestational age. Furthermore, subscales that reflect "Physical functioning," "Role physical," "General health" showed no significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous women. Although subscales that reflect "Bodily pain," "Vitality," "Social functioning," "Role emotional" and "Mental health" showed significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous women, these subscales showed significant interactions. Our results suggest that pregnant women need support, regardless of the number of deliveries. Appropriate supports to pregnant women will be available to improve the birth rate in developed countries

Impact of laparoscopic surgery on short‐term and long‐term outcomes in elderly obese patients with colon cancer

[Background] Laparoscopic surgery is reported to be useful in obese or elderly patients with colon cancer, who are at increased risk of postoperative complications because of comorbidities and physical decline. However, its usefulness is less clear in patients who are both elderly and obese and may be at high risk of complications. [Methods] Data for obese patients (body mass index ≥25) who underwent laparoscopic or open surgery for stage II or III colon cancer between January 2009 and December 2013 were collected by the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery. Surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and relapse-free survival (RFS) were compared between patients who underwent open surgery and those who underwent laparoscopic surgery according to whether they were elderly (≥70 y) or nonelderly (<70 y). [Results] Data of 1549 patients (elderly, n = 598; nonelderly, n = 951) satisfied the selection criteria for analysis. Length of stay was shorter and surgical wound infection was less common in elderly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery than in those underwent open surgery. There were no significant between-group differences in overall complications, anastomotic leakage, ileus/small bowel obstruction, or RFS. There were also no significant differences in RFS after laparoscopic surgery according to patient age. [Conclusion] Laparoscopic surgery is safe in elderly obese patients with colon cancer and does not worsen their prognosis. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery between obese patients who were elderly and those who were nonelderly

Impact of laparoscopic surgery on short‐term and long‐term outcomes in elderly obese patients with colon cancer

[Background] Laparoscopic surgery is reported to be useful in obese or elderly patients with colon cancer, who are at increased risk of postoperative complications because of comorbidities and physical decline. However, its usefulness is less clear in patients who are both elderly and obese and may be at high risk of complications. [Methods] Data for obese patients (body mass index ≥25) who underwent laparoscopic or open surgery for stage II or III colon cancer between January 2009 and December 2013 were collected by the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery. Surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and relapse-free survival (RFS) were compared between patients who underwent open surgery and those who underwent laparoscopic surgery according to whether they were elderly (≥70 y) or nonelderly (<70 y). [Results] Data of 1549 patients (elderly, n = 598; nonelderly, n = 951) satisfied the selection criteria for analysis. Length of stay was shorter and surgical wound infection was less common in elderly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery than in those underwent open surgery. There were no significant between-group differences in overall complications, anastomotic leakage, ileus/small bowel obstruction, or RFS. There were also no significant differences in RFS after laparoscopic surgery according to patient age. [Conclusion] Laparoscopic surgery is safe in elderly obese patients with colon cancer and does not worsen their prognosis. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery between obese patients who were elderly and those who were nonelderly