Todai Health Index Research Articles

Evaluation of Residents’ Comfort in High-Rise Residential Buildings in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The global record of 1,700 % urban footprint growth in only 38 years made Dubai one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The density of the metropolis population is approximately 762.6 individuals/ km2, and high-rise residential buildings in Dubai have reached 581,166 units (79%) in 2020 and become a common residential type. The objective of this study is to provide basic data for the design of high-rise residential buildings in the future by evaluating the health of the residents of high-rise residential buildings in Dubai. As a methodology, the Todai Health Index, a structured health assessment tool, was used for high-rise residents’ survey. For the analysis, the health evaluation data from residents were used as the dependent variable, and the number of living floors as the architectural characteristic and the indoor temperature and humidity condition as the residential environments were analyzed as the independent variable. The result had shown that residence floor is irrelevant to overall health, changes in the health status compared to those in the previous year, and the occurrence of daily disease health evaluation by the Todai Health Index. It was statistically proven that the thermal environment has a significant correlation with the residence floor, but the effect of the thermal environment on health was not strong. However, the humidity environment has a very strong relationship with the health of residents. The humidity environment has a very close relationship not only with the occurrence of daily diseases of residents but also with the health evaluation analyzed by the Todai Health Index. There is a significant relationship between the humidity environment and both physical and mental health. It was analyzed that a slightly humid condition had a positive effect on health.

Study of the Heavy Metals in Fume of Buckshot, Blood Lead Concentration and Self-Rated Health Status of National Clay Shooting Athletes

Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the levels of heavy metals and self-rated health status of the national clay shooting athletes. Methods Fourteen subjects’ blood lead level and index of liver damage (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transferase) were measured. Heavy metal content in training environment was measured by collecting the buckshot fume. In addition, subjects completed a questionnaire assessing self-rated health status (Todai Health Index). Results Antimony and lead were detected much more than other heavy metals in the air of the shooting range. The average blood lead level of 14 subjects was significantly higher than the upper limit of normal Korean adults. Blood lead level of male is significantly higher than female and training frequency and the total training time per week were positively correlated to the blood lead level. In the result of survey on self-rated health, the higher the blood lead level, the lower the score of the common subjective physical symptoms. By age, the younger the subjects are, the higher the score of the common subjective symptoms. Conclusion Although the level of heavy metals in fume of buckshot and blood lead was high, national clay shooting athletes thought that they are healthy.

Agricultural workers in a cohort of middle-aged Japanese women showed better health status than did women with other occupations.

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between occupations and health status to obtain an overall understanding of a cohort of Japanese middle-aged women, including unemployed women, who comprised approximately 30% of the sample.Participants and Methods: Participants of this study were 4,454 women aged 40–69 years, classified into the following five groups based on their occupation: unemployed, 1,432; agriculture, 439; self-employed, 1,596; white collared, 793; and blue collared, 194. Participants’ perceived health was assessed using a symptoms checklist called the Todai Health Index (THI, later renamed as the Total Health Index) in a baseline survey conducted in 1993. The mortality risk of the participants was assessed using the Cox’s Proportional Hazards Model.Results: The means of the percentile values on the Total Scale 1 in the THI were as follows: agriculture, 43.7; unemployed, 50.8; self-employed, 52.5; white collared, 53.0; and blue collared, 56.1, with lower percentile values indicating better perceived health. The results showed that women engaged in agriculture were in significantly better health than were those in the other four occupations. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals of the occupational groups adjusted for age, area of residence, and Total Scale 1 scores were as follows: agriculture (reference group), 1; white collared, 1.16 (0.77–1.74); self-employed, 1.25 (0.87–1.78); unemployed, 1.27 (0.91–1.77); and blue collared, 1.50 (0.86–2.60).Conclusions: Women engaged in agriculture had a significantly higher tendency to have a better health status on the THI as compared to those from the other four occupational groups, and they exhibited the lowest HR as compared to their counterparts, though not statistically significant. We concluded that the perceived health status of unemployed women was similar to that of women engaged in agriculture.

구강건강상태에 따른 삶의 질 평가

본 연구는 환자가 느끼는 자신의 주관적 구강보건영향지수(OHIP-14; Oral Health Impact Profile-14)와 주관적 전신건강지수(THI; Todai Health Index)를 사용하여, 구강보건이 전신건강과 삶의 질(QOL; Quality of Life)에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 알아보고 구강질환 예방과 구강보건 향상을 위한 프로그램을 개발에 필요한 기초 자료를 제공하여 지역사회주민의 건강과 삶의 질을 증진하고자 한다. 주관적 구강건강상태에 따른 OHIP를 분석한 결과 자가 인식 구강 건강상태는 전 영역에서 유의한 차이가 있었고, 총 점수가 건강한 편이 4.33으로 유의하게 높았다. 주관적 구강건강상태에 따른 THI를 분석한 결과 자가 인식 구강건강상태는 전 영역에 걸쳐 유의한 차이가 있었으며, 총 점수에서는 매우건강 한 자가 3.83으로 점수가 높았다. 주관적 구강건강상태에 따른 QOL을 분석한 결과 자가 인식 구강건강상태에서는 사회적 영역을 제외한 전 영역에서 유의한 차이가 있었으며, 총 점수는 건강한 편이 3.39로 가장 높았다. This study adopted two instruments, i.e. Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14: index of patient's subjective oral health impact) and Todai Health Index (THI: index of patient's subjective systemic health) The Purpose of this study was to determine potential effects of oral health upon systemic health and quality of life (QOL) and provide required basic reference data for developing oral diseases prevention program and public oral health improvement As a result, it may contribute to improving health and quality of life in local community. Analysis on OHIP for subjective oral health conditions revealed that there were significant differences among all categories of self-aware oral health conditions on statistic basis and good oral health group showed significantly higher total OHIP points (4.33) than any other group. Analysis on THI for subjective oral health conditions showed that there were significant differences among all categories of self-aware oral health conditions on statistical basis and very good oral health group got higher total THI points (3.83) than any other group. Analysis on QOL for subjective oral health conditions suggested that there were significant differences among all categories of self-aware oral health conditions but social category and good oral health group got highest total QOL points (3.39) of all groups.

THI를 이용한 항공기 소음이 주민 건강상태에 미치는 영향 연구 - 김포공항과 오키나와 Futenma 공항 주변 주민들에 대한 비교 -

This study evaluates the impact of aircraft noise on people's health using the Todai health index(THI). A questionnaire survey was conducted in the vicinity of Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, from August 8th to September 9th, 2005. The survey area was divided into three groups based on different aircraft noise levels : area (1) for <TEX>$80{\sim}85$</TEX> WECPNL, area (2) for <TEX>$75{\sim}80$</TEX> WECPNL and area (3) for less than 75 WECPNL. In each area, approximately 200 respondents were sampled. Twelve scale scores of THI are converted to dichotomous variables based on scale scores of 90 percentile value or 10 percentile value in the control group. Logistic regression analysis taking twelve scores converted as the dependent variables and WECPNL(area), age, gender as the independent variables is conducted. Significant dose-response relationships are found in the scale of MOUT, DEPR, NERV, LIFE. Factor analysis was carried out and 2 factors are extracted. Those two factors might be called the "somatic factor" and the "mental factor". The dose-response relationship between two factors and noise seems to be unclear. Unexpectedly the odds ratio of the menatl factor in area (2), where the noise exposure level is lower than that of the area (1), is the highest and the annoyance in this area is also higher than area (1).

Factors Associated with Perceived Health of Very Old Inhabitants of Japan

Background: Perceived health or self-rated subjective health of the oldest inhabitants of Japan was studied to identify its associated impact on their lives. Objective: The health status of the aged was evaluated to elucidate the correlation between their health complaints and perceived health status as expressed on a comprehensive rating scale. Methods: A health questionnaire including the Todai Health Index (THI) was applied to 529 inhabitants of Central Japan, aged 85 years or older. THI is a symptom checklist composed of 130 questions. Twelve scale scores and two discriminant function values were calculated. Response rate was 99.8% (528/529). Other items included sex, age, prevalence of chronic disease and its treatment, marital status, academic career, and friendship. A question ‘How is your health?’ with five ordinal response options was used to assess perceived health. Results: The mean values of THI scale scores of lie and aggression of poor (poor or extremely poor) perceived health were significantly lower than those of good (extremely good or good) perceived health. The mean values of other THI scale scores of poor perceived health except impulsiveness and nervousness in male subjects were significantly higher than those of good perceived health. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients between perceived health score and THI scale scores were all statistically significant. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify significant factors predicting perceived health. THI scale scores of physical symptoms, depressive state, and irregular daily life were significant. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals in parentheses on each factor were 1.15 (1.07–1.23), 1.14 (1.02–1.30), and 1.15 (1.02–1.30), respectively. Conclusions: Poor perceived health was significantly associated with irregular lifestyle, physical and mental complaints. Perceived health reflects the health status of the oldest inhabitants of Japan.

A study on the health and stress management of the administrative staff at the university

In fact, administrative staff of universities did not plan to create the mental health care system. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to establish the mental care system for administrative staff at the university. Two health questionnaires, the THI (Todai Health Index) and the CFSI (Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index) were used for administrative staff of 406 people from 16 universities and 9 junior colleges. Then, the health conditions of the administrative staff were surveyed and the results of the survey made clear the impact of stress in the administrative staff at the university. And, in the future, it is necessary to introduce “Guideline of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare—Mental health care for labors on the work place” into universities. It is necessary to consider the characteristics of each job in the universities.

Associations between Lifestyle and Mental Health in a Group of Japanese Overseas Workers and Their Spouses Resident in Duesseldorf, Germany

This study investigated associations between lifestyle factors and selected aspects of mental health in a group of Japanese overseas workers and their accompanying spouses who were residing in and around Düsseldorf, Germany, in February 1994. Considering four aspects of mental health (depression, mental instability, nervousness and neurosis) and six lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption, sleeping hours, cigarette smoking, physical exercise, eating breakfast and eating snacks), a cross-sectional study involving 822 volunteers (486 workers and 336 spouses) was performed using the Todai Health Index (THI) for surveying self-perceived health and a lifestyle related self-administered questionnaire. Alcohol consumption had no associations with any of the four aspects of mental health, and only very weak inverse associations were found between the other five lifestyle factors and the four aspects of mental health in the workers group. In the spouses group, physical exercise was the only lifestyle factor significantly associated with mental health.

Absence of specific symptoms in chronic hepatitis C.

No systematic research has been carried out on the symptoms of chronic hepatitis C, although the disease is believed to induce subjective symptoms such as fatigue or dullness in the legs. The Todai Health Index has been developed as a symptom checklist that is used for screening particular diseases or for health management. The index was chosen as the most suitable questionnaire for measuring characteristic symptoms of chronic hepatitis C. Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis C who did not have any severe complications were compared with healthy control subjects who were selected randomly from the residents of Isesaki City, Gunma, Japan. The major findings were as follows: (1) male and female patients with chronic hepatitis C had no characteristic subjective physical symptoms when compared with the healthy controls, except for a significant difference in aggression, and (2) the severity of the hepatitis was not associated with the patients' symptoms after adjusting for age and treatments. Patients with chronic hepatitis C who did not have any severe complications did not show specific subjective physical symptoms.

POPULATION-BASED QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIRCRAFT NOISE ON RESIDENTS LIVING AROUND U.S. AIRFIELDS IN THE RYUKYUS—PART I: AN ANALYSIS OF 12 SCALE SCORES

A questionnaire survey was made of health effects of aircraft noise on residents living around Kadena and Futenma airfields using the Todai Health Index. Aircraft noise exposure expressed by Ldnranged from under 55 to over 70 in the surveyed area. The number of valid answers was 7095, including 848 among the control group. Twelve scale scores were converted to dichotomous variables based on scale scores of the 90 percentile value or the 10 percentile value in the control group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done taking 12 scale scores converted into the dependent variable andLdn , age (six levels), sex, occupation (four categories) and the interaction of age and sex as the independent variables. Significant dose–response relationships were found in the scale scores for vague complaints, respiratory, digestive, mental instability, depression and nervousness. The results suggest that the residents living around Kadena and Futenma airfields may suffer both physical and mental effects as a result of exposure to military aircraft noise and that such responses increase with the level of noise exposure (Ldn).

POPULATION-BASED QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIRCRAFT NOISE ON RESIDENTS LIVING AROUND U.S. AIRFIELDS IN THE RYUKYUS—PART II: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DISCRIMINANT SCORE AND THE FACTOR SCORE

Discriminant function values of psychosomatics and neurosis are calculated using the 12 scale scores of the Todai Health Index, a general health questionnaire, obtained in the survey done around the Kadena and Futenma U.S. airfields in Okinawa, Japan. The total number of answers available for the analysis is 6301. Factor analysis is applied to the 12 scale scores by means of the principal factor method, and Oblimin rotation is done because the factors extracted are considered likely to correlate with each other to a greater or lesser extent. The logistic regression analysis is made with the independent variables of discriminant function (DF) values and factor scores and with the dependent variables of Ldn, age (six levels), sex, occupation (four categories) and the interaction of age and sex. Results indicate that the odds ratio of the DF values regarding psychosomatic disorder and of the score of somatic factor have clear dose–response relationship. The odds ratios of the DF value of neurosis and of the score of the mental factor increase in the area where noise exposure is very intense.

Content and Cross Validity of the Todai Health Index Depression Scale in Relation to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale

Content and Cross Validity of the Todai Health Index Depression Scale in Relation to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale: Tomoyuki Kawada, et al. Department of Public Health, Gunma University School of Medicine—The validity of the Todai Health Index (THI) depression scale was tested with outpatient data by comparing with a clinical diagnosis based on the DSM III‐R criteria of major depression. The cross validity of the Japanese versions of the CES‐D score and SDS index were also tested in comparison with the THI scale scores of survey data from Japanese female students. The main results obtained were as follows: 1) The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the THI depression scale were 0.91, 0.84, 0.86 and 0.89, respectively, and were satisfactory for identifying clinical cases of depression. 2) The CES‐D score and the SDS index showed a high correlation with the THI scale scores, especially with the depression scale of THI. The coefficients of correlation for the THI depression scale and the CES‐D score or SDS index were 0.727 and 0.715, respectively. The partial coefficients of correlation for the THI depression scale and the CES‐D score or SDS index, when the variances of all other scale scores of the THI were kept constant, were 0.528 and 0.536, respectively. 3) Factor analysis was used to compare SDS and CES‐D with 12 THI scales. SDS was related mainly to the psychological complaints and partly related to the physical symptoms. The results indicate that the THI depression scale is valid for use not only in epidemiological surveys but also in monitoring the severity of the depressive state.

Association of Self-rated Health of Female Students with Their Parents Using the Todai Health Index (THI) Questionnaire

Association of Self-rated Health of Female Students with Their Parents Using the Todai Health Index (THI) Questionnaire

A SURVEY ON HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO AIRCRAFT NOISE ON RESIDENTS LIVING AROUND KADENA AIR BASE IN THE RYUKYUS

Results are reported of a questionnaire survey relating to a scale for general health, the Todai Health Index, in a town, bordering on a large U.S. airbase in the Ryukyus. The level of aircraft noise exposure, in the town, expressed by WECPNL, ranges from 75 to 95 or more. The sample size was 1200, including a 200 person “control” group. Results of the analysis of the responses in terms of the noise exposure suggest that the exposed residents suffer psychosomatic effects, especially perceived psychological disorders, due to the noise exposure to military aircraft, and that such responses increase with the level of noise exposure.

自覚症状等の職種別特徴 乳製品製造会社従業員のＴＨＩ尺度得点による分析

Subjective symptoms and personality of 3, 447 male workers in a dairy product company were assessed by a health questionnaire, the Todai Health Index (THI). Thirty-three branches of the company were distributed from Hokkaido to Kyusyu, Japan. The age of the subjects ranged from 18 to 59 years. "MP counselor" was applied, which is a registered trademark of THI. Their job was classified into three: production process work (group A), clerical or technical work (group B), and sales work (group C). Technical workers of Group B were mainly the heads of group A. Over the half of group C workers were engaged in transportation work and the rest of them are sales workers. According to the job analysis, group A workers are blue-collars, group B workers are white-collars, and group C workers are blue- and white-collars. Mean value of aggressive scale in group C was significantly higher than that of group A and (or) B in every age class. Except the subjects under thirty years old, mean value of scale score of irregularity of life of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and (or) B. Except in their thirties, mean value of discriminant function value of psychosomatic disease of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and (or) B. Other mean values of scale scores, which were significantly higher in group C than those in group A and (or) B, were mouth and anus under thirty years old, subjective symptoms, respiration, and eye in their forties and fifties, skin and digestion in their fifties. All of these scales are related to physical complaints. These results indicate that sales workers should be marked as a group which needs daily life management and health care on their specified physical and mental complaints.

Review of Methods and Applications in Mental Health Surveys: The Todai Health Index.

Review of Methods and Applications in Mental Health Surveys: The Todai Health Index.

自記式健康調査票ＴＨＩによる生活パターンの位相差に関する研究

We distributed a self-administered health questionnaire known as the Todai Health Index (THI) to a group of 191 women, aged 18-22 (average 19.7), who were at the time students in programs of nursing or public health nursing. This sample was divided into three groups on the basis of subject's answers to the question Do you tend to go to sleep and get up early? The subjects were classified as or intermediates according to their predilections . The THI yields twelve numerical scores assessing the degree of proneness to various conditions. We developed profiles of the groups using the t-test on the twelve scores as well as the discriminant values for the psychosomatic and neurotic scores. We would not be able to find out consistent trends which we hypothesized between the above question and the THI's twelve numerical scores and two discriminant values. Among the three groups, the intermediate group proved to be the most diffuse in the pattern of its daily cycles. It became clear that it would be difficult to compare the three groups directly. However, the THI's scale, Irregularity of daily measuring the degree to which a person's life lacks a regular rhythm showed the highest degree of correspondence with the above typology. Taking the 25% who scored the highest on this measure and comparing them with the lowest 25%, we found that none of the former reported being early risers, and more reported waking late than those in the regular rhythm group. The regular rhythm group tended to report noticing fewer symptoms of physical or mental ailment. They tended to be emotionally more stable and calm, less prone to depression or anxiety and showed few signs of neurosis or psychosomatic illness. We concluded that the THI's irregular rhythm scale, Irregularity of daily helps in classifying subjects according to the type of lifestyle as well as allowing us to quantitatively distinguish early risers who follow regular schedules from night owls who follow irregular schedules.

朝型‐夜型における自覚的健康度に関する研究

The Japanese version of Home & Ostberg's Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) a self-administered health questionnaire known as the Todai Health Index (THI) were administered to a group of 143 women, aged 18-23 (average 19.0), who were at the time students in programs of nursing or medical technology. This sample was divided into three groups, 15 definitely moderately morning, 101 intermediate, 27 definitely moderately evening types according to MEQ. These percentages were not so different from the results of other investigators. The morning type the evening type were compared using the t-test on the 12 scale scores 2 discriminant values of THI. The evening type group had significantly higher score than the morning type group in the scales of gmany subjective symptoms and irregularity of daily higher but not significant in the scale of on digestive organ. In other words, the morning type group had more regular daily life, fewer physical mental symptoms, fewer complaints on digestive organ than the evening type group. These findings indicate that so-called Morningness-Eveningness relating to the different biochronology phase in daily life, includes a factor of regularity-irregularity in daily life, closely related to physical mental symptoms. These results are supported by those obtained from many nvestigations on Morningness-Eveningness.

ＴＨＩによる評価の妥当性 自己評価と他者評価

Self-administered health questionnaire, the Todai Health Index (THI), was filled out by 41 girl students of a public nurse school; age ranged from 21 to 27 with an average of 22.4. The result of THI of a girl student including 12 scale scores and 2 discriminant function values was shown to the girl with explanation. She was asked to write her comments as to whether the results of her THI were true, false or intermediate for her. Scores for Respiratory Organ, Nervousness and Digestive Organ, were nearest grades of self-perception, but Aggressiveness and Lie or Social Desirability Scale differed most from grades for self-perception. The results of THI were matched with character assessment by three teachers. The correlation coefficient was highest (significant) for Aggressiveness by THI and Extrovert by the teachers. The Lie or Social Desirability, Mental Instability, Depression and Nervousness of THI had lower coefficient of correlation, which was thought due to the least sensitive character of these scales not for THI but for the teachers or the other persons.

Relationship between cigarette smoking and physical complaints

In order to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoking on health conditions, the authors analyzed results of the THI (Todai Health Index) questionnaire, which was administered to male employees of a large-sized enterprise in Osaka between 1984 and 1990. The smoking rate of male employees decreased over this period of time from 62.4% (1984) to 58.3% (1990) in this enterprise. Complaints regarding "respiratory organ", "digestive organ", "circulatory organ", "irregularity of daily life", "impulsiveness", and "many subjective symptoms" significantly increased with the amount of smoking. Many items of physical complaints in the THI questionnaire were also associated with smoking. These were coughing, sore throat, sputum, nausea when brushing teeth, loss of appetite, stomach pain, stomach problems, diarrhea, heartburn, gum problems, bad breath, heavy eyelids, itchy skin, face looked pale, shortness of breath, palpitation, feeling flushed or feverish, back pain, going to bed late and getting up late, weakness or fatigue, irregular meals, irritation, sensitive or nervous, eating salty or greasy food, and heavy drinker. It is therefore important in the health education of individual smokers to put special emphasis not only on the many diseases associated with smoking but also these physical complaints.