[PP.05.21] RATE OF CLINICAL FACILITY VISITORS AMONG THOSE WHO WERE SUGGESTED TO HAVE TREATMENT OR DETAILED HEALTH EXAMINATION. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takeda, K.; Moriguchi, J.; Sakuragi, S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 35(2017)Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000523321.79207.63
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The Occupational Safety and Health Law in Japan stipulates that employers provide routine health examination (mostly once a year) to their employees. Theoretically such opportunity is valuable for early detection of health problems. The efficacy is however seldom evaluated in practice. It is the purpose of this study to examine how the examinees take advantage of the examination results for their own health care. Design and method: Health examination reports on fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP) and serum LDL-C (LDL) were collected for 1400, 000 routine health examination examinees (at the ages of 30 s to 50 s; men and women combined). Indications on health problems were informed to the individuals with due privacy protection. Results: Indications such as 'treatment' or 'detailed examination' were given to 49.214 individuals, i.e., 697, 11, 054 and 36, 463 subjects were informed of the elevation in FBG (>126 mg/dl), BP (SBP >160 mmHg and DBP >100 mmHg) or LDL (>140 mg/dL) (the criteria in parentheses). Nevertheless, only 25.8%, 12.7% and 9.4% of the subjects informed of the respective pathology visited medical facilities (for treatment or further detailed examination) within one year after the examination. The response rate was usually higher for men than for women, and better for younger people (i.e., 30's) than for the aged (i.e., 50's). Conclusions: People with pathology in FBG, BP or LDL often do not take the notice seriously enough and do not visit medical facilities for health care. The poor respect of the examination results reduces the value of the health examination to detect diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia for early treatment. Efforts are necessary to call for close attention for health in daily life.