This study was conducted to determine if there is an association between shift work and risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Japanese male blue-collar shift workers. Health check-up data on serum lipid concentration and anthropometric indices of 33 three-shift workers and 27 two-shift workers were compared with those of day workers. The average years in age of the shift workers and day workers were 34.5 (SD = 7.1) and 32.7 (SD = 7.6), respectively. Serum total cholesterol levels of three-shift, two-shift and day workers were 5.70 (SD = 1.19) mmol/l, 4.81 (SD = 1.01) mmol/l, 4.98 (SD = 0.95) mmol/l, respectively, and the cholesterol levels of three-shift workers were significantly higher than the other workers (p < 0.05). In addition, the abdominal to hip circumference ratios were 0.905 (SD = 0.060) for three-shift workers and 0.877 (SD = 0.054) for day workers, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). In the present Japanese population, three-shift workers had higher risks of CHD than day workers, which was characterized by higher levels of serum total cholesterol and tendency to central obesity. These findings held when lifestyle factors were taken into account.

This epidemiologic study was undertaken to determine whether working overtime is associated with anthropometric indices and serum lipids, risk factors for obesity, in white-collar workers. Non-management white-collar male workers were eligible. Body weight and height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Weight, height and waist circumference data obtained 3 years previously were also used. Lifestyle information was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Overtime hours correlated significantly with the 3-year change in body mass index (r = 0.206, p < 0.0017) and waist circumference (r = 0.218, p = 0.0091), but not with either the most recent anthropometric indices or serum lipids. Overtime hours were also intercorrelated (r = 0.436, p < 0.0001) with dinner time. The present study suggested that working overtime is associated with the increases in BMI and waist circumference over a 3-year period although the associations were weak. Additionally, eating habits of those with working overtime might reflect an intervening effect on the anthropometric changes.

It appears that the p53 mutations and MSI differ in patients with gallbladder carcinoma between two distinct high-incidence areas. Geographic variation might exist in the process of gallbladder carcinogenesis.

Exercise therapy should be used for the frail elderly requiring a high level of care.

EPBD has a possibility of suppressing bacterial contamination of the biliary tract compared with EST in patients with small stones. A large, long-term follow-up, randomized, controlled trial is necessary to clarify whether this benefit of EPBD reduces late complications.