Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are characterized by persistent somatic symptoms without identifiable organic abnormalities that lead to decreased quality of life (QOL). Japanese traditional medicine (Kampo medicine) is widely used to treat FSS; however, its generational benefits remain unclear. This study evaluated Kampo medicine treatment in patients with FSS, with a sub-analysis stratified by generation. This retrospective observational study included adult patients with FSS who visited our outpatient department between July 2020 and March 2023. Comprehensive QOL was evaluated at baseline and 6 months using the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) utility value, the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS), and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) three-component summary (Physical [PCS], Mental [MCS], and Role/Social [RCS]). Changes were compared with the established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds (EQ-5D-5L, 0.05; EQ VAS, 5; SF-12,3). Additionally, patients were stratified into working-age (< 65 years) and older (≥ 65 years) groups for analysis. Statistical significance for QOL scores was set at p < 0.01 after Bonferroni correction. Of the 79 included patients, 58 were of working age group and 21 were of older groups, respectively. For the overall population, the EQ-5D-5L utility value and EQ VAS scores improved significantly from baseline to 6 months (both p < 0.001, respectively), and the median changes exceeded the MCID thresholds (0.058 and 7, respectively). The SF-12 showed significant improvements in PCS (Δmedian 3.2, p = 0.001) and MCS (Δmedian 2.8, p = 0.002), though MCS did not reach the MCID threshold. Subgroup analysis revealed distinct generational patterns: the working-age group showed significant and clinically meaningful improvements in EQ VAS score (Δmedian 6, p < 0.001) and PCS (Δmedian 3.9, p = 0.0011). Conversely, the older group demonstrated a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in MCS (Δmedian 4.4, p = 0.002), whereas no significant changes were observed in EQ-5D-5L measures or PCS. This study suggests that Kampo treatment may improve the QOL of patients with FSS by providing comprehensive, personalized care. Integrating this approach into modern practice, while considering the patient’s life stage, could offer a potential therapeutic avenue. Not applicable.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common among working-age adults and is associated with impaired work productivity. Although IBS symptoms fluctuate over time, little is known about how changes in status are related to occupational and psychological functioning. This study aimed to characterize occupational and psychological differences across IBS status trajectories over 1 year. A two-wave online survey was conducted in Japan: Time 1in 2023 and Time 2 in 2024. Workers aged 20–49 years (N = 442) completed measures assessing IBS severity (IBSSI), IBS-related cognitive (CS‑FBD) and behavioral (IBS‑BRQ) factors, depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD‑7) symptoms, somatic burden (SSS‑8), occupational stress factors, and work productivity (WPAI-GH). IBS status was assessed using the Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire, and participants were classified as Consistent Non-IBS, Incident IBS, Resolved IBS, and Consistent IBS. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (group × time) was conducted (p < 0.05). Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for the IBSSI and SSS‑8. The Consistent Non-IBS group showed the lowest symptom severity at both time points, and only the Resolved IBS group showed significant improvement. For occupational stress, supervisor support declined across all groups, whereas coworker support declined in all groups except for the Resolved IBS group. Significant main effects of group were observed for the CS-FBD, IBS-BRQ, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and the WPAI-GH subscales but not for work time missed, with the Consistent Non-IBS group generally showing the lowest levels of impairment. IBS status trajectories did not uniformly correspond to broad psychosocial changes across measures. Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for supervisor support and co-worker support, although the observed effects were small. Given the descriptive nature of this study and the small effect sizes, these findings should be considered descriptive, hypothesis-generating observations that remain to be confirmed through larger longitudinal studies. Moreover, future studies that incorporate the recently introduced Rome V criteria may help improve our understanding of IBS transitions and provide a foundation for exploring potential workplace support strategies.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, often accompanied by metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance (IR). Although emerging evidence suggests a link between PCOS and mental health disorders, the specific role of insulin resistance in depression and anxiety among affected women remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between depression, anxiety, and insulin resistance in women with PCOS. This three-group cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 274 women (aged 18–45 years) between June and December 2025 at a tertiary gynecology clinic and an infertility center in Ahvaz, Iran. Participants were divided into three groups: PCOS with insulin resistance (PCOS + IR; n = 87), PCOS without insulin resistance (PCOS-IR; n = 87), and healthy controls (n = 100). PCOS was diagnosed based on the Rotterdam criteria. Insulin resistance was defined as HOMA-IR > 2.5. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, ANCOVA (adjusting for age, BMI, waist circumference, and socioeconomic status), and chi-square tests, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons. Effect sizes were reported as partial eta-squared (η²p). The three groups were comparable regarding education level, employment status, spouse’s occupation, and parity (p > .05). However, significant differences were observed in age, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, and socioeconomic status (all p < .001). After adjustment for age, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and socioeconomic status (hip circumference was excluded due to multicollinearity), depressive symptom scores differed significantly across groups (F(2, 265) = 10.59, p < .001, η²p = .074 indicating a medium effect size). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the PCOS + IR group had significantly higher depression scores than both the PCOS − IR group (Adjusted Mean Difference = 5.81, SE = 1.29, p < .001, 95
To examine the associations of patient and family member pain-related fear beliefs with early mobilization function after thoracic surgery, estimate the statistical indirect association involving perceived overprotection, and test the interaction between patient and family member fear beliefs. A preoperative-postoperative two-timepoint paired prospective design was adopted. A total of 180 patient-family member pairs were initially recruited from the thoracic surgery department of a tertiary hospital between March 2025 and October 2025. Fifteen patients were excluded after postoperative transfer to the ICU, leaving 165 pairs for postoperative follow-up, of which 157 with complete core variables were included in the main analysis. One day before surgery, the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9 (FPQ-9) was administered to patients and family members. On postoperative day 3, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11), Perceived Overprotection Scale-6 (POP-6), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and a 2-minute walk test (2MWT) were completed. Hierarchical regression, bootstrap mediation analysis (5,000 resamples), and interaction testing were used to examine adjusted associations, statistical indirect associations, and the interaction between patient and family member FPQ-9. Patient FPQ-9 (25.64 ± 7.59) was significantly higher than Family FPQ-9 (22.69 ± 7.04, p < 0.001), and the two scores were positively correlated (r = 0.280, p < 0.001). The TSK-11 score was 27.92 ± 4.99, with 77.1
Healthcare professionals’ obesity stigma (OS) significantly compromises the quality of obesity treatment. While studies have been conducted among medical and nursing students, few have examined nutrition science students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of OS among nutrition science students. We hypothesized that OS would differ across academic years and be associated with eating disorder tendencies and body dissatisfaction. An online survey was conducted among first- to fourth-year nutrition science students at a single university. The Attitudes toward Obese Persons Scale (ATOP) and the Beliefs about Obese Persons Scale (BAOP) were used to assess OS; the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) was used to assess eating disorder tendencies; and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was used to assess body dissatisfaction. Factors associated with OS were examined using univariate and multiple regression analyses. A total of 698 students responded (response rate: 79
