Major depression is a multifactorial disorder. Previous studies have mainly evaluated work stress to determine the risk factors for depression among workers. The present study aimed to determine factors predictive of the first depressive episode 1 year later among white-collar workers, and to examine whether work 'stress' is associated with an elevated risk of depression.A 5 year opencohort study was carried out in a Japanese company. The odds ratios (OR) of the development of depression 1 year later were calculated. Ninety-eight first-onset cases were compared with 1267 never-ill cases. Forward stepwise multiple logistic regression indicated that the first onset of depression was associated with a past history of panic attack (OR: 5.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1. 1.18-1.90) but they did not differ from never-ill cases in subjective job stress. The development of major depression in white-collar workers is associated with multiple factors, as is depression in the community.

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate a longitudinal matrix of the etiology for first-episode panic attack among white-collar workers. A path model was designed for this purpose. A 5-year, open-cohort study was carried out in a Japanese company. To evaluate the risk factors associated with the onset of a first episode of panic attack, the odds ratios of a new episode of panic attack were calculated by logistic regression. The path model contained five predictor variables: gender difference, overprotection, neuroticism, lifetime history of major depression, and recent stressful life events. The logistic regression analysis indicated that a person with a lifetime history of major depression and recent stressful life events had a fivefold and a threefold higher risk of panic attacks at follow up, respectively. The path model for the prediction of a first episode of panic attack fitted the data well. However, this model presented low accountability for the variance in the ultimate dependent variables, the first episode of panic attack. Three predictors (neuroticism, lifetime history of major depression, and recent stressful life events) had a direct effect on the risk for a first episode of panic attack, whereas gender difference and overprotection had no direct effect. The present model could not fully predict first episodes of panic attack in white-collar workers. To make a path model for the prediction of the first episode of panic attack, other strong predictor variables, which were not surveyed in the present study, are needed. It is suggested that genetic variables are among the other strong predictor variables. A new path model containing genetic variables (e.g. family history etc.) will be needed to predict the first episode of panic attack.

To compare the efficacy of antipsychotics (APs) for delirium treatment in patients with cancer, 27 patients treated with 1 of the 4 APs, haloperidol (HPD), risperidone (RIS), olanzapine (OLZ), and quetiapine (QTP), were divided into 2 groups: long half-life (T1/2; HPD, RIS, and OLZ) versus short T1/2 (QTP) or the multiacting receptor-targeted APs (MARTAs; OLZ and QTP) versus the non-MARTA (HPD and RIS). The symptom severity was evaluated by the memorial delirium rating scale (MDAS) on days 0, 3, and 7 following intervention. Significant improvements in total MDAS scores were found in all groups on day 3. However, on day 7, only the short T1/2 group and MARTA group showed significant improvement. Consideration of an AP's pharmacological properties may be helpful for improving the outcomes of pharmacological delirium intervention in patients with cancer.

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Studies of group interventions on social relationships among patients with cancer have suggested that such interventions can increase patients' social support and help build social support networks, which are expected to reduce the sense of loneliness among them. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the relationships between participation in group therapy and social relationships among patients with cancer. Seven participants with various types of cancer participated in group therapy and were interviewed at a medical institution in Japan. They were asked about changes in their social relationships after being affected with cancer and taking part in group therapy. We conducted qualitative analysis and identified 11 categories related to changes in social relationships after being diagnosed with cancer (e.g. “shrinkage or lack of social networks, weakening of density”). Six categories related to changes in social relations after taking part in group therapy were identified (e.g. “expanding support networks and increasing density”). The findings suggest that participation in group therapy may supplement the social relationships of patients with cancer who have experienced a reduction in, or insufficiency of, social relationships. In particular, we suggest that participants in group therapy might be receiving emotional/informational support and companionship from the other participants, including patients with the same disease, and from the medical staff.