Background: Several studies have shown that normal weight with central obesity (NWCO) is associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. However, the relationship between NWCO and hyperuricemia has not been studied in detail. Methods: We investigated the association between NWCO and hyperuricemia among Japanese adults aged 40–64 years who had undergone periodic health examinations between April 2013 and March 2014. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m² and central obesity was determined as a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ≥0.5. We classified the participants into the following groups based according to having obesity and central obesity: normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²) without (NW; WHtR < 0.5) and with (NWCO) central obesity, and obesity without (OB) and with (OBCO) central obesity. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid > 7.0 and ≥ 6.0 mg/dL in men and women, respectively, or under medical treatment for hyperuricemia. Alcohol intake was classified as yes (daily and occasional consumption) and none (no alcohol consumption). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for hyperuricemia were calculated using a logistic regression model. Results: We analyzed data derived from 96,863 participants (69,241 men and 27,622 women). The prevalences of hyperuricemia in men and women were respectively, 21.4 and 11.0%, and of participants with NWCO respectively 15.6 and 30.0%. The adjusted OR for hyperuricemia was significantly increased in OBCO compared with NW, regardless of sex (men: OR, 2.12; 95%CI; 2.03–2.21; women: OR, 3.54; 95%CI, 3.21–3.90) and were statistically significant in NWCO compared with NW (men: OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.36–1.52; women: OR, 1.41; 95%CI, 1.27–1.57). The results were similar regardless of alcohol consumption. Conclusions: We found that NWCO and OBCO were associated with hyperuricemia in middle-aged Japanese men and women. Middle-aged Japanese adults with normal weight but having central obesity should be screened using a combination of BMI and WHtR and educated about how to prevent hyperuricemia.

Although several studies have investigated the relationship between the number of siblings or birth order and childhood overweight, the results are inconsistent. In addition, little is known about the impact of having older or younger siblings on overweight among elementary schoolchildren. The present population-based study investigated the relationship of the number of siblings and birth order with childhood overweight and evaluated the impact of having younger or older siblings on childhood overweight among elementary schoolchildren in Japan.

Background: Several studies have shown that normal weight central obesity (NWCO) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, studies conducted in the Japanese population have been very limited. Thus, the relationships between normal weight central obesity, classified using body mass index (BMI), the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and CVD risk factors in middle-aged Japanese adults were investigated. Methods: The participants were Japanese adults aged 40–64 years who had undergone periodic health examinations in Japan during the period from April 2013 to March 2014. The participants were categorized into the following four groups: normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²) and no central obesity (WHtR < 0.5) (NW); normal weight and central obesity (WHtR ≥ 0.5) (NWCO); obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and no central obesity (OB); and obesity and central obesity (OBCO). Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, or taking medication for hypertension. Dyslipidemia was defined as LDL-C ≥ 140 mg/dl, HDL-C < 40 mg/dl, triglyceride ≥ 150 mg/dl, or taking medication for dyslipidemia. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl, random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dl, HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, or receiving medical treatment for diabetes mellitus. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Results: A total of 117,163 participants (82,487 men and 34,676 women) were analyzed. The prevalence of NWCO was 15.6% in men and 30.2% in women. With reference to NW, the ORs for hypertension (adjusted OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.17–1.27 in men, 1.23, 1.16–1.31 in women), dyslipidemia (1.81, 1.74–1.89 in men, 1.60, 1.52–1.69 in women), and diabetes (1.35, 1.25–1.46 in men, 1.60, 1.35–1.90 in women) were significantly higher in NWCO. Conclusions: Normal weight with central obesity was associated with CVD risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, compared with normal weight without central obesity, regardless of sex. It is important to focus on normal weight with central obesity for the prevention of CVD in Japanese middle-aged adults.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenosine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism is associated with longevity in the Japanese. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modifies the effects of habitual smoking or habitual drinking on serum non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol levels in middle-aged Japanese men.

Abnormal lipid levels have been suggested as a mechanism leading to atherosclerosis of the lumbar vessels, resulting in low back pain (LBP). This study examined whether abnormal lipid levels were associated with LBP among middle-aged adults in Japan. The present study included adults between 40 and 64 years old who underwent an annual health checkup. A total of 258,367 eligible participants were analyzed to investigate associations of LBP with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. Participants were categorized into two groups according to each of LDL-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (LDL-C: ≥ 140 vs. < 140 mg/dL; HDL-C: ≥ 40 vs. < 40 mg/dL; LDL-C/HDL-C ratio: ≥ 2.5 vs. < 2.5). Information on LBP was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression modeling was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for LBP. The prevalence of LBP was 2.2% in men and 2.1% in women. Multivariable analysis adjusting for age, body mass index, and lifestyle factors found significant associations for HDL-C < 40 mg/dL (OR, 1.34; 95%CI, 1.20–1.48 in men; OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.02–1.72 in women) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio ≥ 2.5 (OR, 1.17; 95%CI, 1.09–1.26 in men; OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.03–1.29 in women) with LBP. Low HDL-C and high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly associated with LBP in a middle-aged Japanese population. These findings might support the atherosclerosis-LBP hypothesis.

Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal parasite infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Spontaneous cure cannot be expected due to the unique life cycle of the parasite, termed autoinfection. The disease occurs worldwide, but especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Serious clinical problems with complications and refractory strongyloidiasis are observed, especially in immunocompromised patients, such as those infected with human T cell leukaemia virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) or HIV, or corticosteroid-treated patients. Thiabendazole is effective against S. stercoralis infection; however, serious side effects have been reported. Recently, ivermectin, which has been introduced for the treatment of human onchocerciasis, has been reported to be effective against strongyloidiasis, without serious side effects. The interval of administration is important for treatment, because if autoinfective migrating larvae are not eradicated, S. stercoralis will resume its life cycle and multiply again. To evaluate the results of treatment of S. stercoralis, stool examinations and S. stercoralis-specific antibody titres should be examined for at least 1 or 2 years if possible. This article provides a review of treatments and methods of evaluation of patients infected with S. stercoralis.