Changes in lifestyle-related behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a questionnaire survey for examinees who underwent an annual health check-up

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on lifestyle behaviour and clinical data in a population who underwent an annual health check-up in Tokyo, Japan. Methods A self-report questionnaire was completed regarding changes in their physical activities, diet, alcohol intake, smoking and mental stress. For those recommended to undergo further examination or treatment, their intention to do so was also questioned. The clinical results of the check-ups across three different periods (before and during the pandemic and survey period) were statistically compared. Results During the survey period, 838 examinees responded. While physical activities decreased due to teleworking, changes in food intake and dietary patterns were varied. Furthermore, changes in mental stress were also diverse. As for the intention to undergo further clinical examination or treatment, 23.5% answered that they thought they would wait until the government lifted the state of emergency or the pandemic subsided. Compared with before the pandemic, diastolic blood pressure, liver function, kidney function and bone density tended to deteriorate. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic affected the lifestyle of the current study population. To prepare for future outbreaks, real-world information should be collected and shared so that effective measures for health promotion can be developed.

COVID–19パンデミックが臓器提供に与えた影響の定量的評価：臓器提供に要した日数の比較(Quantitative assessment of the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on organ donation: comparison of the number of days required for organ donation)

“…新型コロナウイルス感染症（以下，COVID–19）は，2020年1月に本邦で最初の感染者が報告 1)されて以来，医療サービスにおいて患者と医療従事者の双方に大きな悪影響を与えている 2), 3), 4)。臓器提供・移植医療においても例外ではなく，様々にCOVID–19パンデミックの影響を受けた。臓器移植ネットワークの報告 5)によると，本邦の2019年の脳死下・心停止後臓器提供数は125件（うち脳死下提供97件，心停止後提供28件）であったのに対して，パンデミック後の2020年は77件（うち脳死下提供68件，心停止後提供9件），2021年は78件（うち脳死下提供66件，心停止後提供12件）と大幅に減少している（Fig. 1）。このほかにも，パンデミック前後での臓器提供件数の減少やドナー候補者数の減少，移植待機者死亡数の増加等の報告 6), 7), 8), 9), 10), 11)は国内外で多数あるが，臓器提供に要した日数の変化を評価した報告はこれまでにない。本研究は，当院でパンデミック前後の脳死下・心停止後臓器提供に要した日数を比較し，COVID–19パンデミックが臓器提供に与えた影響を定量的に評価することを目的とした。…”