Ali Nasermoaddeli

Associations of job strain and working overtime with adverse health behaviors and obesity: evidence from the Whitehall II Study, Helsinki Health Study, and the Japanese Civil Servants Study

Adverse health behaviors and obesity are key determinants of major chronic diseases. Evidence on work-related determinants of these behavioral risk factors is inconclusive, and comparative studies are especially lacking. We aimed to examine the associations between job strain, working overtime, adverse health behaviors, and obesity among 45-60-year-old white-collar employees of the Whitehall II Study from London (n=3,397), Helsinki Health Study (n=6,070), and the Japanese Civil Servants Study (n=2,213). Comparable data from all three cohorts were pooled, and logistic regression analysis was used, stratified by cohort and sex. Models were adjusted for age, occupational class, and marital status. Outcomes were unhealthy food habits, physical inactivity, heavy drinking, smoking, and obesity. In London, men reporting passive work were more likely to be physically inactive. A similar association was repeated among women in Helsinki. Additionally, high job strain was associated with physical inactivity among men in London and women in Helsinki. In London, women reporting passive work were less likely to be heavy drinkers and smokers. In Japan, men working overtime reported less smoking, whereas those with high job strain were more likely to smoke. Among men in Helsinki the association between working overtime and non-smoking was also suggested, but it reached statistical significance in the age-adjusted model only. Obesity was associated with working overtime among women in London. In conclusion, job strain and working overtime had some, albeit mostly weak and inconsistent, associations with adverse health behaviors and obesity in these middle-aged white-collar employee cohorts from Britain, Finland, and Japan.

Balneotherapy in medicine: A review

Bathing in water (balneotherapy or spa therapy) has been frequently and widely used in classical medicine as a cure for diseases. This paper reviews the present literature on the use of balneotherapy in dermatologic, chronic musculoskeletal (inflammatory and non-inflammatory), metabolic and psychological conditions.We performed a systematic review on related papers appearing in the Medline and Cochrane Library database from 1966 to 2003 that included randomized controlled and non-randomized clinical trials using balneotherapy. We also determined to reflect where possible the chemical compositions of spas.The major dermatologic and musculoskeletal diseases that are frequently treated by balneotherapy with a remarkable rate of success are atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis and low back pain. Moreover, the effects of spa therapy on several metabolic conditions are discussed. The mechanisms by which broad spectrums of diseases respond to spa therapy probably incorporate chemical, thermal and mechanical effects.The importance of balneotherapy either alone or as complement to other therapies should be considered after, or accompanying, orthodox medical treatments.

Association of Sleep Quality and Free Time Leisure Activities in Japanese and British Civil Servants

Association of Sleep Quality and Free Time Leisure Activities in Japanese and British Civil Servants: Ali Nasermoaddeli, et al. Department of Welfare Promotion and Epidemiology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University—Sleep disturbance as a pervasive health problem can directly affect the physical and psychological well‐being of individuals. Factors that positively relate to sleep quality can therefore improve healthy functioning. We examined whether leisure time activities are associated with sleep quality in two culturally different samples of civil servants. In this cross‐sectional study we evaluated 1,682 Japanese, in Toyama prefecture (T) city, and 6,914 British civil servants from the Whitehall II study undertaken in London. The Japanese version of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI‐J) was used in T city and Jenkins’ sleep problem scale was used in the Whitehall II study. Setting a validated cut‐off point of 5.5 for the PSQI‐J global score and the upper tertile point for the Jenkins’ sleep problem scale, we conducted logistic regression analysis to assess the association between leisure time activities and sleep quality. In both populations, those who participated in voluntary activities in clubs or organizations were significantly less likely to have poor sleep quality with Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of 0.73 (95%CI; 0.56–0.97) and 0.85 (95%CI; 0.76–0.95) in Japanese and British civil servants, respectively. Similar findings were apparent for visiting friends and relatives (ORs 0.60 (95%CI; 0.46–0.80) and 0.71 (95%CI; 0.56–0.90) for Japanese and British subjects, respectively). Our findings suggest that engagement in social leisure activities is associated with better sleep quality and consequently better general well‐being.

Job Strain and Sleep Quality in Japanese Civil Servants with Special Reference to Sense of Coherence

Job Strain and Sleep Quality in Japanese Civil Servants with Special Reference to Sense of Coherence: Ali Nasermoaddeli, et al. Department of Welfare Promotion and Epidemiology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University—The combination of poor sleep quality and high job strain may provoke poor health status. Meanwhile, a sense of coherence (SOC), composed of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness has been associated with adoptive measures in responding to life stress. In this study we investigated the impact of job strain on the sleep quality in civil servants and the extent to which SOC affects their sleep quality. In this cross‐sectional study we evaluated 1682 civil servants working in departments related to the municipality of T city in Toyama prefecture, Japan, in the spring of 2001. Using the validated Japanese versions of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI‐J), SOC‐13 and a self‐reported questionnaire providing information on psychosocial stress in the workplace, we conducted logistic regression analysis to assess the impact of low and high SOC (differentiating by the median score) on sleep quality in different levels of job strain. Using a cut‐off point of 5.5 in the PSQI‐ J global score, high job strain subjects were less likely to have good sleep quality (Odds ratio=0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.44‐0.86) compared with those with lower levels of strain at the workplace after adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with high job strain/low SOC subjects, high job strain/high SOC civil servants were likely to have better sleep quality (Odds ratio=2.12; 95%CI: 1.08‐4.19) after adjusting for age, sex, employment category, level of education and negative affectivity. Increasing psychological stress at the workplace may decrease sleep quality in Japanese civil servants, but a high sense of coherence may attenuate the adverse impact of job strain on sleep quality.

Association of Smoking Behavior and Socio-Demographic Factors, Work, Lifestyle and Mental Health of Japanese Civil Servants

Association of Smoking Behavior and Socio‐Demographic Factors, Work, Lifestyle and Mental Health of Japanese Civil Servants: Lizhen Hu, et al. Department of Welfare Promotion and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Toyama—Few studies have examined the individual and social impact of smoking behavior in the Japanese population. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between smoking behavior and socio‐demographic factors, lifestyle, mental health and work characteristics of Japanese civil servants. A self‐administered questionnaire survey of 1,439 employees (821 men and 618 women) aged 20–64 yr was conducted in a local government department in 2001. The questionnaire included items on socio‐demographic factors, education level, grade of employment, lifestyle, affect balance scale, and work characteristics. Smoking status was divided into current smoker, ex‐smoker and never smoked. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between smoking and the other items. Men presented a higher smoking prevalence rate than women (53.1% vs. 4.9%). In men, a strong relationship between current smoker and advanced age (40 yr or older), low education level, less physical activity, irregular breakfast and negative affect balance was found. Among men with a low education, the prevalence of smoking cessation was significantly lower in comparison to men with a high education. In women, being young (20–29 yr), unmarried (single or other), having a hobby, and irregular breakfast were associated with smoking behavior. Furthermore, smoking cessation was significantly associated with having a hobby and negative affect balance. The above results suggest that socio‐demographic, lifestyle and mental health characteristics are independently associated with current smoking. These factors should be considered in smoking cessation policies as program components.

Associations of Sense of Coherence with Sickness Absence and Reported Symptoms of Illness in Japanese Civil Servants

Antonovsky proposed a sense of coherence (SOC) as a construct that predicts effective coping measures in confronting stressful conditions. SOC has been defined as a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive, enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence that (1) the stimuli deriving from one’s internal and external environments in the course of living are structured, predictable and explicable; (2) the resources are available to one to meet the demands posed by these stimuli; and (3) these demands are challenges, worthy of investment and engagement. On the other hand, sickness absence is a composite outcome, comprising health and social behavior. It is primarily a proxy measure of ill health implying reduced occupational functioning, a form of illness behavior, leading to withdrawal from work, which may be linked to a wide range of life stressors. In this 1-year follow up study, qualitative and quantitative measures of health were obtained at baseline. This paper tries to address a primary question: are higher levels sense of coherence related prospectively to lower rates for symptoms of illness and sickness absence from the job?

Effect of moderate alcohol intake on nocturnal sleep respiratory parameters in healthy middle-aged men.

PurposeIt is known that a moderate to large volume of alcohol produces deterioration in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), however, no consensus has been achieved with respect to the influence of a moderate volume of alcohol on mild to moderate OSA. In this study, we investigated the influence of alcohol on OSA-associated parameters in healthy middle-aged males drinking a moderate volume of alcohol (<1 g alcohol/kg bodyweight per day).MethodsSubjects were 23 healthy males (mean age of 46.0) with a habitual ingestion of moderate a mounts of alcohol. Respiratory sleep parameters were measured through the fitting of an Apnomonitor III (Chest Inc.) and portable sleep monitoring device (Actiwatch: AMI Inc.) to subjects on three nights; an alcohol-free night, a night on which they drank alcohol with dinner, and a night on which they drank alcohol within 30 minutes before retiring to bed. The measurements were categorized into the early and late halves of assumed sleep for analysis.ResultsThe apnea-hypopnea index was significantly higher when drinking alcohol before retiring [mean (SD): 7.8 (8.2) events/hour] than the values on the alcohol-free day [2.9 (4.5) events/hour] and when drinking alcohol with dinner [3.8 (5.3) events/hour]. Furthermore, drinking alcohol before retiring resulted in lower arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) during the early half of sleep [94.8 (1.4) %] when compared to the values on the alcohol-free day [95.7 (1.3) %] and drinking alcohol with dinner [95.4 (1.6) %]. In addition, the percentage of time with SpO2<92% (hypoxic event) during the early half of sleep [4.9 (9.3) %] was significantly higher than the values on the alcohol-free day [1.2 (1.8) %] and when drinking alcohol with dinner [1.4 (1.8) %].ConclusionThese results suggest that moderate ingestion of alcohol within 30 minutes before retiring aggravates OSA-associated parameters in healthy males.

Association between Sense of Coherence and Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Subjects

ObjectivesThis report investigates whether there is any association between sense of coherence (SOC), as a coping measure in confronting stressful conditions, and heart rate variability (HRV), as a measure of the cardiac autonomic nervous system during the daily life pattern.MethodsSixteen healthy university students (14 males and 2 females) filled in the validated Japanese version of the SOC-13 questionnaire before being informed about the study protocol. For each participant, we calculated 5-minute HRV indices using logarithmically transformed data on frequency domains for HRV derived by 24-hour Holter monitoring. Frequency domains for HRV recordings were investigated for the 24-hour time periods.ResultsThe correlation coefficient between the SOC scores and the high frequency power of HRV (0.15–0.40) was positively significant during the resting sitting position (r≥0.60, P<0.05). After grouping SOC scores by the median, the high frequency domain of HRV was higher in high SOC subjects for most of the 24-hour time period.ConclusionA higher SOC could modulate the parasympathetic tone of cardiac autonomic activity, especially during the resting sitting position.

Gender differences in associations of C-reactive protein with atherosclerotic risk factors and psychosocial characteristics in Japanese civil servants.

Objective: Several prospective studies have demonstrated a direct association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and the risks of developing cardiovascular disease. A strong sense of coherence (SOC) has also been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality, but the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism remains unclear. We have evaluated the relationship of serum CRP and SOC and assessed the association of atherosclerotic risk factors with CRP in male and female subjects. Methods: Data were collected in 2003 and 2004 cross-sectionally from the two phases of a longitudinal study. Atherosclerotic risk factors were evaluated along with psychosocial characteristics for 1,339 apparently healthy civil servants (748 women and 591 men) aged 20 to 60 years. The Japanese version of the SOC-13 was used in the study. Results: After controlling for traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, SOC was inversely associated with hsCRP levels only in men. Among the atherosclerotic risk factors, body mass index and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had the strongest associations with hsCRP in both sexes. Mean arterial pressure and blood glucose were positively correlated with hsCRP in men, and serum triglyceride levels positively correlated with hsCRP in women. Conclusion: The findings suggested that a higher SOC might be associated with lower serum CRP levels in men. Also, the association of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors with CRP was not equal in men and women. hsCRP = high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; SOC = sense of coherence; BMI = body mass index; MAP = mean arterial pressure; HDL = high-density lipoprotein.

Psychosocial stressors in inter-human relationships and health at each life stage: A review.

Currently, psychosocial stressors’ impacts on health are increasing. Among these stressors, this review focused on inter-human relationships. Since social supports could be protective against ill health, consequences contributing to psychosocial stressors are discussed here in relation to social supports for each stage of childhood, adulthood and elderly status.For childhood, parental divorce/isolation, and child abuse/neglect appeared to be determinants of healthy development at either the initial or later stages. According to prospective studies, such stressors, especially those occurring until around 3 years of age, were associated with later adverse life quality in adulthood. Therefore, nationwide preventive strategies were developed in each country to monitor protective social programs.For adulthood, job strain was focused on Karasek’s job strain model, effort-reward imbalance, employment grade and working hours. These psychosocial stressors were shown to affect not only the physical health but also the mental health of working people. These days, since Karoshi and even suicide related to excessive workloads are taking a toll on workplace organization, stress-coping abilities such as a sense of coherence were introduced from the individual-social interaction aspect.For elderly status, retirement, caring for the elderly, and spouse bereavement were discussed as psychosocial stressors. Some evidence indicates that these stressors could be determiants of health. Finally, social supports have been demonstrated to promote health and protect the elderly against diseases and death.