Mar. 2023, The Japan Society for Hygiene, Young Investigator Award　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Dec. 2019, Akita Consortium for Supporting Women Researchers Award　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Academic Research Category for Early Career Researchers
前田 恵理

Nov. 2018, Akita Wakasugi Young Science Investigator Award　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理

Three Decades of Change in Frequency of Sexual Intercourse and Sexual Function Among Japanese Men: A Comparative National Survey.
Yoshikazu Sato, Akira Tsujimura, Masato Shirai, Haruaki Sasaki, Ko Kobayashi, Hiroki Horita, Aoki Masaharu, Nobukazu Suzuki, Shinichi Hisasue, Shinichiro Fukuhara, Koji Chiba, Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, Hikaru Tomoe, Kazunori Kimura, Eiji Kikuchi, Eri Maeda, Atsushi Nagai, Koichi Nagao, Taiji Tsukamoto, Naoya Masumori
International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association, 33, 1, e70344, Jan. 2026, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine trends in frequency of sexual intercourse and sexual function among Japanese men over the past 30 years by comparing the Nationwide Survey conducted by the Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine in 2023 with the Sapporo Survey conducted by the Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University, in 1991. METHODS: Three domains were analyzed: sexual intercourse, penile rigidity, and morning erections in both studies. To minimize inconsistencies, definitions were standardized. The 2023 survey included 3795 men aged 20-79 years, while the 1991 survey comprised 8893 participants for sexual intercourse, 7517 for morning erections, and 3886 for penile rigidity. Case numbers differed by item in 1991 owing to incomplete responses. The 1991 survey targeted only married individuals; comparable analyses were performed using married participants extracted from the 2023 dataset. RESULTS: 1. Sexual intercourse: Compared with the 1991 Sapporo Survey, the proportion of men reporting sexual intercourse less than once per month was significantly higher across all age groups in the 2023 Nationwide Survey, except among men in their 20s. 2. Penile rigidity: The proportion of men with insufficient penile rigidity for penetration was significantly higher in 2023 than in 1991 across all age groups except those aged ≥ 75 years. 3. Morning erections: Men reporting complete absence of morning erections were significantly more common in 2023 across all age groups. CONCLUSION: Over the past three decades, Japanese men have shown substantial declines in the frequency of sexual intercourse, penile rigidity, and the frequency of morning erections, particularly in younger and middle-aged cohorts.

Prevalence of infertility among nationally representative women in Japan: A cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified systematic sampling design.
Eri Maeda, Shoko Konishi, Satoshi Sunohara, Seung Chik Jwa, Isao Yokota, Jacky Boivin, Kyoko Nomura, Akiko Tamakoshi
Public health, 251, 106092, 106092, 18 Dec. 2025, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVES: According to the 2021 Japanese National Fertility Survey, more than one-third of couples expressed concerns about infertility. However, no study in Japan has estimated the prevalence of infertility according to the World Health Organization definition (12 months of infertility). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of infertility based on this definition. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design. METHODS: The survey was conducted in 2024 using a two-stage stratified systematic sampling design (response rate: 40.0 %). Among 1200 women aged 25-49 years (total participants), 853 were married or cohabiting with a male partner (cohabiting participants). There were 35 women aged 25-44 years, at risk of pregnancy, and actively trying to conceive (current duration participants). Lifetime and period prevalence were estimated using direct (self-reported) and current duration methods. RESULTS: Among cohabiting participants, the lifetime and period prevalence of infertility were 37.8 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 35.4 %-40.4 %) and 6.5 % (95 % CI: 5.1 %-8.4 %), respectively. Period prevalence among current duration participants was 23.1 % (95 % CI: 12.1 %-43.9 %). Help-seeking behaviour was reported by 51.1 % of those with lifetime infertility. Older age groups exhibited higher lifetime prevalence and lower period prevalence of infertility. Higher educational attainment was associated with lower lifetime and period prevalence of infertility and a higher help-seeking rate. CONCLUSION: While period prevalence estimated using direct and current duration methods was consistent with international findings, lifetime prevalence estimated using direct method was higher, possibly due to older age distribution, delayed parenthood, shorter or ambiguous reproductive intention, and infrequent sexual activity.

Development and validation of a premenstrual symptom screening tool for working women in relation to absenteeism.
Chihiro Takenoshita, Kisho Shimizu, Miho Iida, Fumiaki Taka, Eri Maeda, Songee Jung, Kyoko Nomura
BMC women's health, 25, 1, 546, 546, 07 Nov. 2025, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a screening tool tailored for working women to comprehensively assess premenstrual symptoms-including physical, psychological, and work-related domains-and to examine its reliability, validity, and association with absenteeism. METHODS: In October 2021, a multidisciplinary expert panel comprising a gynecologist, a psychosomatic physician, a psychologist, occupational health specialists, and data scientists developed a set of 47 original items. We then recruited 3,239 working women with menstruation via an internet research company and administered these items to assess PMS-related symptoms. For scale development, we conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, along with evaluations using Cronbach's alpha, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the participants, 331 women had experienced PMS (10%), and 393 women had taken sick leave because of PMS-associated symptoms (12%). Exploratory factor analyses with maximum likelihood and Promax rotation identified four domains with 27 items, including "Somatic symptoms'' (Cronbach's α = 0.93), "Psychological symptoms" (Cronbach's α = 0.94), "Lack of work efficiency" (Cronbach's α = 0.93), and "Abdominal symptoms" (Cronbach's α = 0.95). Using a split-half sample for the confirmatory factor analysis, the four-factor solution demonstrated acceptable model fit (RMSEA = 0.077, CFI = 0.928). The Average Variance Extracted values ranged from 0.54 to 0.68 across the four domains, and in all cases, the square root of AVE exceeded the corresponding inter-factor correlations, supporting the discriminant validity using the Fornell-Larcker criterion. We also confirmed the developed scale's criterion validity using existing PMS screening criteria and its concurrent validity through moderate correlation coefficients with Copenhagen Burnout Inventory scores. The receiver operating characteristic curve yielded a moderate construct ability for work absenteeism, including a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 57%, and an area under the curve of 0.735. CONCLUSION: A moderately reliable and valid new scale for PMS for working women was developed with efficacy for screening for work absenteeism.

Physical activity, sedentary time and sperm DNA fragmentation index in healthy Japanese men.
Hongxuan Li, Wen Hao, Eri Maeda, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Kazumasa Takahashi, Takashi Tanaka, Isao Yokota, Yukihiro Terada, Kyoko Nomura, Hiroshi Okada, Akiko Tamakoshi
Reproductive biomedicine online, 51, 4, 105015, 105015, Elsevier BV, Oct. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, RESEARCH QUESTION: Are physical activity and sedentary time associated with the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) score and conventional semen parameters in healthy Japanese men? DESIGN: Baseline data from the Preconception Research and Education Study for Men, an ongoing randomized controlled trial, were used to assess the long-term effects of preconception health education on male fertility. This cross-sectional analysis included 323 men, aged 20-39 years, recruited from September 2021 to December 2022 at workplace health check-up sites in Japan. Demographic, lifestyle and health check-up data were collected, and physical activity and sedentary time were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Semen quality was assessed using the DFI score and conventional semen analyses. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the associations between physical activity, sedentary time and semen parameters, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Higher total physical activity was associated with a lower DFI score (P-value for trend = 0.002), with the third and fourth total physical activity quartiles showing a 21% (95% CI 5-34%, P = 0.013) and a 29% (95% CI 12-43%, P = 0.002) reduction in DFI score compared with the first quartile reference, respectively. There was a trend for a shorter sedentary time to be associated with a lower DFI score, but this failed to reach significance (P-value for trend = 0.057). The first sedentary time quartile showed a 22% reduction in DFI score compared with the fourth quartile reference (95% CI 3-37%, P = 0.024). There were no significant associations between total physical activity, sedentary time and conventional semen parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Higher physical activity and shorter sedentary time are associated with a lower DFI score in Japanese men. However, these associations were not observed with conventional semen parameters.

Adherence to the Japanese Diet is Associated with Lower Risk of Geriatric Depression: A Prospective-Cohort Study Based on the New Integrated Suburban Seniority Investigation (NISSIN) Project.
Ho Chen, Eri Maeda, Wen Hao, Kenji Wakai, Satoe Okabayashi, Shigekazu Ukawa, Akiko Tamakoshi
The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 29, 11, 100689, 100689, 29 Sep. 2025
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVES: Geriatric depression is an increasingly important public health issue in an aging society. However, while Japan boasts one of the world's highest and healthiest life expectancies at birth, there was no prospective cohort study dedicated to the specific association between the Japanese diet and geriatric depression. Thus, we aimed to examine this relationship and assess whether such association extends beyond better physical health secondary to higher diet quality. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: Our study utilized the New Integrated Suburban Seniority Investigation (NISSIN) Project, which is an age-specific prospective cohort study that recruited residents of Nisshin City, Japan who were about to reach 65 years of age between 1996 and 2005. We measured the adherence to the Japanese diet of 1620 elderly Japanese individuals (827 male and 793 female) with a modified version of the Japanese Diet Index (JDI) and assessed the development of geriatric depression with the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 items questionnaire when they reached 70 years of age. RESULTS: A total of 135 individuals developed geriatric depression at 70 years of age. After adjusting for major confounding factors, those within the highest group of adherence to the Japanese diet had significantly reduced risk of developing geriatric depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.525, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.286 - 0.962) when compared to those with the lowest adherence, and each point received on the JDI was also associated with reduced risk of geriatric depression (aOR = 0.900, 95% CI: 0.816-0.992). Dietary item-wise analyses showed that fish and shellfish (p = 0.024), green-yellow vegetable (p = 0.003), and soybean-derived products (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with lower risk of geriatric depression. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the Japanese diet, especially those rich in green-yellow vegetables, soybean-derived products, and fish and shellfish, may be protective against geriatric depression.

Prevalence and associated factors of delayed ejaculation: insights from a nationwide internet-based, cross-sectional survey on male sexual dysfunction in Japan.
Masato Shirai, Akira Tsujimura, Shinichiro Fukuhara, Koji Chiba, Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, Hikaru Tomoe, Kazunori Kimura, Eiji Kikuchi, Eri Maeda, Yoshikazu Sato, Atsushi Nagai, Koichi Nagao, Haruaki Sasaki
Sexual medicine, 13, 4, qfaf072, Aug. 2025, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Among causes of male sexual dysfunction, the prevalence of delayed ejaculation (DE) is lower than that of premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction (ED), and its epidemiology remains poorly characterized, particularly in Asian populations. AIM: To estimate DE prevalence and identify associated factors of DE in a nationwide sample of Japanese men. METHODS: A cross-sectional, internet-based survey conducted by the Clinical Research Promotion Committee of the Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine between May 29 and June 24, 2023, targeted Japanese men aged 20-79 years through a general population panel. Among 6228 valid responses, 5331 men who reported sexual activity were included in the analysis. DE-related distress was used to define the condition. Data on demographics, medical comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and sexual function were collected. Participants were also asked whether they desired treatment for DE and whether they had consulted a physician regarding this condition. Associated factors were identified through multivariate logistic regression analysis. OUTCOMES: Prevalence of DE, associated demographic and clinical factors, treatment-seeking desire, and actual help-seeking behavior among sexually active Japanese men. RESULTS: The prevalence of DE was 5.16%. Of the affected individuals, 58.18% desired treatment, but only 11.88% actually sought it. Multivariate analysis revealed that psychotropic drug use (odds ratio [OR] = 2.41), pelvic trauma (OR = 2.39), low partnership satisfaction (OR = 2.27), ED (OR = 2.04), neurological diseases (OR = 2.02), obesity (OR = 1.51), high frequency of masturbation (OR = 1.24), and high frequency of sexual intercourse (OR = 1.17) were significantly associated with DE (all P < .05). Conversely, having children showed an independent association with a lower likelihood of DE (OR = 0.57, P < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight that DE is associated with multiple psychological, sexual, and physical health factors and that treatment-seeking behavior remains low despite substantial distress. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This large, nationwide epidemiological study on DE in Japan is the first with a robust sample size and multivariate analysis. However, the reliance on self-reported data and internet-based sampling may introduce reporting bias and limit generalizability. CONCLUSION: DE affects approximately 5% of sexually active Japanese men and shares many risk factors with ED. Although more than half of those with DE desire treatment, only a minority seek care. Greater clinical awareness and patient education are warranted.

Experiences and evaluations of sex and reproductive health education, and fertility knowledge, among 18- to 19-year-old Japanese university students: a 2023 baseline survey
Yuri Akizuki, Eri Maeda, China Okinaga, Midori Sato, Yukina Mouri, Yukihiro Takagishi, Rina Biswakarma, Joyce C Harper
Sex Education, 30 Jun. 2025
Scientific journal

Preconception Health Assessments in Occupational Settings: Counselling versus Written Feedback
Fujishima A., Maeda E., Sato K., Saito H., Uchikura Y., Sugiyama T., Terada Y.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 51, 6, e16337, May 2025, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, AIM: Our preconception care (PCC) initiative in Akita (Japan) was previously reported to improve health literacy and motivate behavioral changes. To make the check-up widely available, a more feasible and sustainable system is necessary. Our aim was to evaluate a resource-efficient preconception check-up implemented in Ehime Prefecture. METHODS: The Ehime PCC check-up included female employees aged 18-39 and took place between July 2023 and January 2024. Participants attended a lecture, underwent blood tests, and received written feedback. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted for check-up evaluation. RESULTS: Fifty-nine women (median age: 31 years) participated. The results revealed that their health was inadequate for future pregnancies, with 23% exhibiting anemia (hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL) and 29% iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12 ng/mL). Furthermore, all participants had low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL). After receiving written feedback, 66% manifested an intention to improve their lifestyle, 21% an intention to consult an obstetrician and gynecologist, and 32% expressed a desire to become pregnant sooner. The proportion of those without intention to change their future behavior was significantly higher in Ehime (23.7%) compared to Akita (4.9%, p = 0.018). Recommendation ratings were significantly lower in Ehime (strongly recommend: 18.2% vs. 65.9%, p < 0.001), with more reporting anxiety (10.5% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Preconception check-ups improved the intention to change behavior, even in resource-efficient settings. However, individual counseling may be more effective than written feedback in increasing the intention to change behavior and satisfaction. A resource-efficient feedback method that effectively motivates behavioral change and improves satisfaction is required.

How do fertility facilities in Japan perceive disclosing institutional success rates for IVF? A nationwide survey of registered assisted reproductive technology facilities
Jwa et al
Reproductive medicine and biology, 24, 1, e12653, Apr. 2025, [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal, To evaluate the current perspectives on reporting success rates for assisted reproductive technology, the authors conducted a nationwide survey. Of the 327 facilities that responded (response rate: 53.5%), over half recognized potential benefits of reporting in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates, such as aiding patients in selecting a clinic (68.5%) and enhancing the quality and efficiency of information provided to patients (62.1%). However, concerns regarding potential negative impacts, including patient selection bias, were also highlighted, albeit to a lesser extent (32.7%-52.3%). These findings underscore the need for further discussions to establish an unbiased reporting framework and improve patient education on assisted reproductive technology (ART) success rates.

Effects of dysmenorrhea on work productivity and quality of life in Japanese women: A large-scale web-based cross-sectional study.
Maika Nariai, Osamu Wada-Hiraike, Eri Maeda, Masayo Matsuzaki, Mayuyo Mori-Uchino, Maho Furukawa, Yuki Enomoto, Hiromi Ga, Risa Takai, Miyuki Harada, Yutaka Osuga, Yasushi Hirota
PloS one, 20, 11, e0329154, 2025, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, RESEARCH QUESTION: How significant is the impact of dysmenorrhea on work productivity and quality of life (QoL) among Japanese women?. METHODS: This large-scale cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based self-report questionnaire administered via a smartphone application (LunaLuna). The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health (WPAI-GH) and the SF-36v2 health survey were used to assess work productivity and health-related QoL, respectively. Work productivity and health-related QoL were compared between the severe and non-severe groups as defined by the dysmenorrhea score, which assesses the severity of menstrual pain, its impact on daily activities, and medication use. A multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the magnitude of the effect of dysmenorrhea on work productivity and health-related QoL after adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: In total, 2,555 women were included in the analysis. Among them, 2064 women completed the dysmenorrhea score questionnaire, and 902 (43.7%) participants with a dysmenorrhea score of ≥3 were categorized as the severe group. The median overall work impairment was 16% higher in the severe dysmenorrhea group than in the non-severe dysmenorrhea group. In the multiple regression analysis, despite adjusting for confounding factors, the severity of dysmenorrhea remained a significant predictor of impaired absenteeism; presenteeism; overall work impairment; activity impairment; and reduced physical, mental, and social QoL. Additionally, low annual household income (<5,000,000 yen) was a significant predictor of reduced work productivity and lower mental and social QoL. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of dysmenorrhea significantly affects the work productivity and quality of life of Japanese women. A dysmenorrhea score of ≥3 as a threshold for treatment eligibility may be a useful and potentially valid criterion. The application of a dysmenorrhea score may facilitate the screening of dysmenorrhea in clinical practice.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Premature Ejaculation in Japan: First Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey by the Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine
Masato Shirai, Akira Tsujimura, Shinichiro Fukuhara, Koji Chiba, Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, Hikaru Tomoe, Kazunori Kimura, Eiji Kikuchi, Eri Maeda, Yoshikazu Sato, Atsushi Nagai, Koichi Nagao, Haruaki Sasaki
The World Journal of Men's Health, Apr. 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, PURPOSE: Premature ejaculation (PE) is a most common sexual complaint among men worldwide, but its prevalence and associated factors in Japan remain underexplored. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-reported PE, lifelong PE (LPE), and acquired PE (APE) among Japanese men, as well as to identify associated factors, distress levels, and healthcare-seeking behaviors through a nationwide cross-sectional survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This internet-based nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among Japanese men from 20 to 79 years old by the Clinical Research Promotion Committee of the Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine (JSSM). Data were collected using validated questionnaires, including the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) criteria for LPE and APE. RESULTS: Of 37,485 invited participants, 6,228 provided valid responses (response rate: 16.61%), with 5,331 sexually active men included in the analysis. The prevalence of self-reported PE distress was 23.39%. ISSM-defined LPE and APE were observed in 0.54% and 3.47% of respondents, respectively. Univariate analysis identified erectile dysfunction (ED), psychotropic drug use, neurological diseases, trauma, aortic aneurysm surgery, and partnership dissatisfaction as significant associated factors for both LPE and APE. Multivariate analysis confirmed ED as the common associated factor. Despite 51.00% of respondents expressing a desire for treatment, only 4.81% had sought medical help. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first epidemiological insights into PE in Japan, revealing a notable prevalence and identifying ED as a key associated factor. Despite significant distress, most affected individuals do not seek medical help, highlighting the necessity for greater public awareness and better access to treatment options. Future research should focus on longitudinal assessments to explore causal relationships and evaluate potential interventions.

Erectile Function and Sexual Activity Are Declining in the Younger Generation: Results from a National Survey in Japan
Akira Tsujimura, Shinichiro Fukuhara, Koji Chiba, Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, Hikaru Tomoe, Masato Shirai, Kazunori Kimura, Eiji Kikuchi, Eri Maeda, Yoshikazu Sato, Atsushi Nagai, Koichi Nagao, Haruaki Sasaki
The World Journal of Men's Health, 43, 1, 239, 248, 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, PURPOSE: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. RESULTS: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. CONCLUSIONS: The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan.

コロナ禍の自粛が及ぼす大学生の鬱症状への影響 第一波(R.2.5-6月)と第4波(R3.3-5月)時点におけるうつスコアの比較
野村 恭子, 山崎 貞一郎, 前田 恵理, 平山 純子, 大貫 佑佳, 尾野 恭一, 伏見 雅人, 三島 和夫, 山本 文雄
心身医学, 64, 4, 384, 384, (一社)日本心身医学会, Jul. 2024
Japanese

Psychometric properties of persian version of the cardiff fertility knowledge scale (CFKS–P)
Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi, Maryam Gharacheh, Eri Maeda, Shima Haghani, Fahimeh Ranjbar
Heliyon, 10, 9, 15 May 2024, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
Scientific journal

Feasibility and effectiveness of preconception check-ups at workplaces in Japan.
Akiko Fujishima, Eri Maeda, Koki Sato, Hidekazu Saito, Chihiro Ozeki, Yukihiro Terada
Journal of occupational health, 29 Apr. 2024, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, OBJECTIVES: Despite the recent increase in infertility and perinatal complications, preconception care is not commonly available in Japan. Working women are considered to have the greatest need for preconception care, as they increasingly marry and have children later in life. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of preconception check-ups in the workplace. METHODS: We provided 51 female employees aged 18-39 years with free preconception check-ups, including additional blood tests and an online medical questionnaire, during mandatory health check-ups at their workplace. A doctor provided online counselling based on the check-up results. We assessed fertility knowledge using the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J) and childbearing desire pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Preconception check-ups revealed various potential risk factors for future pregnancies, including underweight (12%), obesity (20%), Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibody positivity (22%), low Rubella IgG antibody levels (47%), iron deficiency (12%), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <30 ng/mL (98%). Post-intervention, the participants reported high satisfaction with the check-ups and significantly advanced their reproductive plans (P=0.008). Further, 95% of the participants indicated an intention to seek medical attention or make lifestyle changes. The post-intervention CFKS-J score (mean ± SD) was higher than the pre-intervention score (71.7 ± 19.3 versus 63.0 ± 22.0, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a preconception check-up package that can be integrated into workplace health examinations, complemented by tailored counselling. This novel check-up package is a feasible and effective approach for improving preconception health and fertility awareness.

Changes in menstrual symptoms and work productivity after checklist-based education for premenstrual syndrome: an 8-month follow-up of a single-arm study in Japan.
Chihiro Ozeki, Eri Maeda, Osamu Hiraike, Kyoko Nomura, Yutaka Osuga
BMC women's health, 24, 1, 242, 242, 15 Apr. 2024, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is prevalent among women of reproductive age, but most do not seek medical advice. We hypothesized that building PMS awareness could promote medical help-seeking for PMS and thus reduce menstrual symptoms and improve work productivity. METHODS: In January 2020, women aged between 25 and 44 years, having paid work, and not currently consulting with an obstetrics and gynecology doctor (n = 3090) responded to the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), the Premenstrual Symptoms screening tool, and the World Health Organisation Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. In addition, they received checklist-based online education for PMS. Of 3090 participants, 2487 (80.5%) participated in a follow-up survey in September 2020. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses and text analyses to explore factors that encouraged and discouraged medical help-seeking. We also evaluated changes in menstrual symptoms and work productivity, using generalized estimating equations with interactions between the severity of PMS, help-seeking, and time. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 4.9% of the participants (121/2487) sought medical help. Those having high annual income (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-3.53) and moderate-to-severe PMS (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.49-3.46) were more likely to have sought medical help. Those who did not seek medical help despite their moderate-to-severe PMS reported normalization of their symptoms (36%), time constraints (33%), and other reasons for not seeking medical help. Participants with moderate-to-severe PMS who had sought medical help showed a significant improvement of - 8.44 points (95% CI: - 14.73 to - 2.15 points) in intermenstrual MDQ scores during the follow-up period. However, there were no significant improvements in premenstrual and menstrual MDQ scores or absolute presenteeism. CONCLUSION: Medical help-seeking alleviated intermenstrual symptoms in women with moderate-to-severe PMS, but only a small proportion of them sought medical help after PMS education. Further research should be conducted to benefit the majority of women who are reluctant to seek medical help, including the provision of self-care information. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry number: UMIN000038917.

Health Insurance Coverage of Infertility Treatment-Its Impact and Challenges
前田恵理
社会保障研究, 8, 31, 464, 478, (株)毎日学術フォーラム, Mar. 2024, [Invited], [Lead author]
Japanese

Fertility education: recommendations for developing and implementing tools to improve fertility literacy†.
Mariana V Martins, Emily Koert, Randi Sylvest, Eri Maeda, Mariana Moura-Ramos, Karin Hammarberg, Joyce Harper
Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 13 Dec. 2023, [Peer-reviewed], ［Internationally co-authored］, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Many recent societal trends have led to the need for fertility education, including the age at which individuals become parents, the development of new reproductive technologies, and family diversity. Fertility awareness has emerged as a concept very recently and is increasingly gaining recognition. However, fertility education is often neglected as there is no consensus on the appropriate content, target populations, or on who should provide it. This article attempts to provide an overview of the use of interventions to improve fertility education. We emphasize the importance of delivering evidence-based information on fertility and reproductive health through various methods while providing guidelines for their standardization and systematization. Recommendations are provided to aid the development and implementation of fertility education tools, including: the establishment of a comprehensive understanding of the target populations; the incorporation of theories of behavioural change; the inclusion of the users' perspectives and the use of participatory research; and the use of specific guidelines for increasing engagement. By following these recommendations, it is expected that fertility education resources can contribute to improving fertility literacy, empowering individuals and couples to make informed reproductive decisions, and ultimately reducing the incidence of infertility and need for fertility treatment.

The first nationwide website survey of the availability and costs of medical and non-medical oocyte cryopreservation in Japan
Hiromitsu Shirasawa, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Wataru Sato, Takuya Iwasawa, Kazue Togashi, Natsuki Ono, Ayaka Fujishima, Kazumasa Takahashi, Maeda Eri, Yukihiro Terada
Heliyon, 9, 8, e19074, e19074, Elsevier BV, Aug. 2023, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, RESEARCH QUESTION: How does the cost-related oocyte cryopreservation (OoC) vary by the facility in Japan, and what data is provided on the websites about OoC procedures? DESIGN: Website survey. The websites of all 621 facilities that provide assistive reproductive technology registered in Japan were surveyed in 2021. Data included the rates of explicit statements regarding the provision of OoC for only medical reasons (medical only group) or non-medical reasons (non-medical group). Based on whether or not facilities that perform OoC clearly stated the cost on their websites, we compared the costs of OoC and annual storage cost between medical only and non-medical groups. Furthermore, we examined the stated number of OoC procedures performed and their clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 621 facilities, 146 (23.5%) clearly stated that they offer OoC on their websites. Of the 88 medical only groups and 58 non-medical groups, 24 (27.3%) and 42 (72.4%) clearly stated the OoC cost, and 27 (30.7%) and 44 (75.9%) clearly states the annual oocyte storage cost, respectively. The OoC costs were significantly higher for the non-medical group than in the medical group. In the medical only group, the annual storage cost remained almost the same regardless of the number of oocytes, while in the non-medical group, the annual storage cost was 2-3 times higher than in the medical only group. Only 16 facilities (16/146, 11.0%) had mentioned the number of OoC procedures, and five facilities (3.4%) provided information on the clinical outcomes after OoC. CONCLUSION: Costs related to OoC are higher for the non-medical group in Japan. In addition, the websites contain scant information on the costs and clinical outcomes of OoC.

Model-based estimation of the health care expenditure and out-of-pocket payment for assisted reproductive technology: A retrospective linkage study using the Japanese national ART registry.
Seung Chik Jwa, Rei Goto, Eri Maeda, Takeshi Kajihara, Osamu Ishihara
The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research, 16 May 2023, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, AIM: From April 2022, the Japanese government funding system for assisted reproductive technology (ART) has shifted from government subsidies to universal health insurance. To date, studies estimating the health care expenditure for ART are scarce. We estimated health care expenditures for ART cycles and compared the proportion of patients' out-of-pocket payment by ovarian stimulation protocols under the Japanese government subsidy system. METHODS: We linked payment information for government subsidies in Saitama Prefecture during 2016 and 2017 with the Japanese ART registry. Health care expenditures for all treatment cycles in Japan during 2017 among women aged <43 years (n = 369 757) were estimated using a generalized linear model. RESULTS: We linked 6269 subsidy applications to the Japanese ART registry. The average treatment fee for a fresh cycle was 376 434 JPY (standard deviation = 159 581). However, significant variation was observed across ovarian stimulation protocols. The estimated health care expenditure for ART during 2017 was 101 278 629 888 JPY (920 714 817 USD), leading to a 0.24% increase in the national health care expenditure for fiscal year 2017. Fresh cycles accounted for 70% of the expenditure. The proportion of the average patient out-of-pocket payment for one treatment cycle was smaller for natural (0%) and mild ovarian stimulation using clomiphene citrate (4.5%-20.7%) than those of conventional stimulation (30.3%-32.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Health insurance coverage for ART would increase national health care expenditure by 0.24%. Under the subsidy system, the proportion of the average patient out-of-pocket payment was smaller for natural and mild ovarian stimulation than conventional stimulations.

High TLR6 Expression Status Predicts a More Favorable Prognosis after Esophagectomy for Locally Advanced Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Yusuke Sato, Akiyuki Wakita, Eri Maeda, Yushi Nagaki, Ryohei Sasamori, Kohei Kemuriyama, Shu Nozaki, Satoru Ito, Kaori Terata, Kazuhiro Imai, Hiroshi Nanjo, Kyoko Nomura, Yoshihiro Minamiya
Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 30, 5, 4724, 4735, 04 May 2023, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Most so-called "beneficial bacteria" in gut microbiota are Gram-positive, and TLR6 recognizes the peptidoglycan (PGN) present in their cell walls. We hypothesized that a high TLR6 expression status predicts a more favorable prognosis after esophagectomy. We used an ESCC tissue microarray (TMA) to examine TLR6 expression status in ESCC patients and to determine whether TLR6 expression status correlates with prognosis after curative esophagectomy. We also examined whether PGN influences the cell proliferation activity of ESCC lines. Clinical ESCC samples from 177 patients tested for the expression of TLR6 were categorized as 3+ (n = 17), 2+ (n = 48), 1+ (n = 68), or 0 (n = 44). High TLR6 expression (3+ and 2+) correlated with significantly more favorable 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) after esophagectomy than a lower TLR6 expression (1+ and 0). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that TLR6 expression status is an independent prognostic factor that affects 5-year OS. PGN significantly inhibited the cell proliferation activity of ESCC lines. This is the first study to show that high TLR6 expression status predicts a more favorable prognosis in locally advanced thoracic ESCC patients after curative esophagectomy. PGN released from "beneficial bacteria" seems to have potential to inhibit the cell proliferation activity of ESCC.

Public funding of assisted reproductive technology in Europe and Asia
前田恵理
日本産科婦人科学会雑誌, 75, 3, 2023, [Invited]

Fertility knowledge of Japanese undergraduates aspiring to become schoolteachers: a cross-sectional survey
Yuri Akizuki, Shoko Kusunoki, Eri Maeda
Sex Education, 2023
Scientific journal

Out-of-pocket payment and patients' treatment choice for assisted reproductive technology by household income: a conjoint analysis using an online social research panel in Japan.
Eri Maeda, Seung Chik Jwa, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Kazuki Saito, Arisa Iba, Ayako Yanagisawa-Sugita, Akira Kuwahara, Hidekazu Saito, Yukihiro Terada, Takashi Fukuda, Osamu Ishihara, Yasuki Kobayashi
BMC health services research, 22, 1, 1093, 1093, 27 Aug. 2022, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Economic disparities affect access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in many countries. At the time of this survey, Japan provided partial reimbursement for ART treatment only for those in low- or middle-income classes due to limited governmental budgets. However, the optimal level of financial support by income class remains unclear. METHODS: We conducted a conjoint analysis of ART in Japan in January 2020. We recruited 824 women with fertility problems aged 25 to 44 years via an online social research panel. They completed a questionnaire of 16 hypothetical scenarios measuring six relevant ART attributes (i.e., out-of-pocket payment, pregnancy rate, risk of adverse effects, number of visits to outpatient clinics, consultation hours and kindness of staff) and their relations to treatment choice. RESULTS: Mixed-effect logistic regression models showed that all six attributes significantly influenced treatment preferences, with participants valuing out-of-pocket payment the most, followed by pregnancy rates and kindness of staff. Significant interactions occurred between high household income (≥ 8 million JPY) and high out-of-pocket payment (≥ 500,000 JPY). However, the average marginal probability of the highest-income patients (i.e., ≥ 10 million JPY, ineligible for the subsidy) receiving ART treatment at the average cost of 400,000 JPY was 47%, compared to 56 - 61% of other income participants, who opted to receive ART at an average cost of 100,000 JPY after a 300,000 JPY subsidy. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that out-of-pocket payment is the primary determinant in patients' decision to opt for ART treatment. High-income patients were more likely to choose treatment, even at a high cost, but their income-based ineligibility for government financial support might discourage some from receiving treatment.

Relationship between somatic symptoms with menstruation and intention to leave work among university hospital nurses in Japan: a cross-sectional study.
Yu Ota, Kyoko Nomura, Junko Hirayama, Eri Maeda, Junko Komatsu, Mio Nakamura, Rouko Yamada, Hitomi Ishikawa, Teiko Kobayashi, Hideko Shirakawa, Kozo Aisaka, Mariko Ono, Haruko Hiraike, Osamu Hiraike, Hiroko Okinaga
International archives of occupational and environmental health, 96, 1, 155, 166, 01 Aug. 2022, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, PURPOSE: This study investigated the association between menstrual symptoms and the intention to leave work among female nurses in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated female nurses (n = 317) at two university hospitals. The items measured were their characteristics (e.g., age, body mass index), "intention to leave" work, somatic symptoms related with menstruation, self-reported menstrual characteristics (e.g., pain), physical workloads (e.g., working hours and night shifts) and psychological workloads, measured with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Participants with at least four somatic symptoms (e.g., cold, fatigue) which are present during their menstrual cycles were considered to have "somatic symptoms associated with menstruation." We also measured serum ovarian and gonadotropin-releasing hormones. RESULTS: Approximately 40% of women answered "intention to leave" work, and 17% had "somatic symptoms associated with menstruation." Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that nurses reporting "somatic symptoms associated with menstruation" were more likely to have "intention to leave" work: the adjusted odds ratios (AOR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) were 2.15 (1.12-4.11) in the personal-burnout model, 2.23 (1.16-4.31) in the work-related burnout model, 2.91 (1.52-5.56) in the client-related burnout model; 2.96 (1.50-5.82) in the JCQ model. There was no association between serum and gonadotropin hormones and the intention to leave. CONCLUSION: Somatic symptoms with menstruation were associated with intention to leave work among female Japanese nurses. Intervention for somatic symptoms with menstruation might support nurses to continue work.

Working conditions contribute to fertility-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Japan
Eri Maeda, Osamu Hiraike, Hiroki Sugimori, Asako Kinoshita, Maki Hirao, Kyoko Nomura, Yutaka Osuga
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Elsevier {BV}, Jul. 2022, [Lead author], [International Magazine]
Scientific journal

Does Esophagectomy Provide a Survival Advantage to Patients Aged 80 Years or Older? Analyzing 5066 Patients in the National Database of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries in Japan
Satoru Motoyama, Eri Maeda, Katsunori Iijima, Yusuke Sato, Shigeto Koizumi, Akiyuki Wakita, Yushi Nagaki, Hiromu Fujita, Takatoshi Yoneya, Kazuhiro Imai, Kaori Terata, Yoshihiro Minamiya, Takahiro Higashi
ANNALS OF SURGERY, 276, 1, E16, E23, Jul. 2022, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

Longitudinal survey of depressive symptoms among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.
Kyoko Nomura, Teiichiro Yamazaki, Eri Maeda, Junko Hirayama, Kyoichi Ono, Masahito Fushimi, Kazuo Mishima, Fumio Yamamoto
Frontiers in psychology, 13, 863300, 863300, 2022, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

韓国における人工授精および生殖補助医療の公費負担状況―保険適用の背景と影響に関する訪問調査　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 石原理, 左勝則, 李廷秀, 小林 廉毅
公衆衛生, 86, 1, 84, 90, Jan. 2022, [Peer-reviewed]

がん患者の主観的医療満足度の相関する因子の分析　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
今野麻衣子, 瀬田川美香, 三浦京子, 山田楼子, 本山悟, 井岡亜希子, 前田恵理, 羽渕友則, 南谷佳弘, 小松順子
秋田医学, 48, 37, 45, Dec. 2021, [Peer-reviewed]

Social capital and use of assisted reproductive technology in young couples: Ecological study using application information for government subsidies in Japan
Seung Chik Jwa, Osamu Ishihara, Akira Kuwahara, Kazuki Saito, Hidekazu Saito, Yukihiro Terada, Yasuki Kobayashi, Eri Maeda
SSM - Population Health, 16, 100995, 100995, Elsevier {BV}, Dec. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a globally established treatment; however, large disparities exist in ART use among young couples. We investigated regional-level factors associated with ART use in Japan. Methods: We calculated the use rate of ART using the number of women aged <35 years who applied for government subsidies in 2017; we divided that figure by the number of women aged 20-35 years in each prefecture. Prefectural-level average household income; social capital indicators including voting rate, volunteer rate, and move-in rate; and Gini coefficients as indicators of income inequality were linked to ART use, adjusting for prefectural size, the mean age of women at first marriage, number of ART facilities, and additional prefectural subsidies. Results: The rate of ART use (per 10,000 women) varied significantly from 22.0 to 58.8 across Japan's 47 prefectures. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the use rate increased by 0.048 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.007 to 0.088) for each 10,000-yen increase in average household income and 1.5 (95% CI, 0.65 to 2.3) for each 1% increase in volunteer rate. Conversely, the use rate decreased by 18.4 (95% CI, -28.6 to -8.1) for each 1% increase in the move-in rate. There was no significant association between ART use and income inequality. Conclusion: Although we cannot infer causal relationships, the findings suggest that improving financial access and enhancing social capital may increase access to ART. Further research, particularly multilevel analysis using individual data, is required to confirm these findings.

Development of a health literacy scale for preconception care: a study of the reproductive age population in Japan
Suto, M., Mitsunaga, H., Honda, Y., Maeda, E., Ota, E., Arata, N.
BMC Public Health, 21, 1, Nov. 2021, [Peer-reviewed]
Scientific journal

Cumulative live birth rate according to the number of receiving governmental subsidies for assisted reproductive technology in Saitama Prefecture, Japan: A retrospective study using individual data for governmental subsidies.
Seung Chik Jwa, Osamu Ishihara, Akira Kuwahara, Kazuki Saito, Hidekazu Saito, Yukihiro Terada, Yasuki Kobayashi, Eri Maeda
Reproductive medicine and biology, 20, 4, 451, 459, Oct. 2021, [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal, Purpose: We investigated the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) in women receiving governmental subsidies for assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Methods: Women who applied for subsidies from Saitama Prefectural Government for the first time in 2016 were enrolled and followed up until the end of 2017. Treatment information, including live birth, was obtained from the Japanese ART registry by linking it with unique identification numbers for treatment. Patients' factors associated with having a live birth were investigated. Results: Of 1,072 women (2,513 applications), 495 (46.2%) had a live birth with 8 (1.6%) twin pregnancies. The CLBR over six subsidized cycles was 53.7% for women aged <40 years, and 17.2% over three subsidized cycles for women 40-42 years; highest among women <35 years (58.4%), followed by those aged 35-39 years (49.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed patient age as the only independent factor for having a live birth. Conclusions: The CLBR of women receiving subsidies for ART was greatest in women aged <35 years. Effective policies for promoting ART among younger couples who seek infertility treatment are essential.

PET-Uptake Reduction into Lymph Nodes After Neoadjuvant Therapy is Highly Predictive of Prognosis for Patients Who have Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Chemoradiotherapy Plus Esophagectomy.
Yushi Nagaki, Satoru Motoyama, Yusuke Sato, Akiyuki Wakita, Hiromu Fujita, Kohei Kemuriyama, Yoshihiro Sasaki, Kazuhiro Imai, Eri Maeda, Yoshihiro Minamiya
Annals of surgical oncology, 29, 2, 1336, 1346, 05 Aug. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Patients with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)-positive lymph nodes before treatment have a poor prognosis after esophagectomy. This study investigated whether FDG uptake into lymph nodes on FDG-PET (PET-N) during the pre- or posttreatment stage is more predictive of survival for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by esophagectomy. METHODS: Of 129 TESCC patients with clinical lymphatic metastasis who underwent curative-intent esophagectomy after NACRT between 2010 and 2018, 97 who received PET before and after NACRT were enrolled in the study. The study defined lymph nodes with a maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) greater than 2.5 on FDG-PET before NACRT as cPET-N(+) and after NACRT as CRT-cPET-N(+). Both the cPET-N(+) and CRT-cPET-N(-) patients were defined as PET-N responders. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: No significant difference in survival was detected between the cPET-N(+) and cPET-N(-) patients. However, the CRT-cPET-N(-) patients had significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) than the CRT-cPET-N (+) patients. The PET-N responders had significantly better 5-year OS and DSS than the PET-N non-responders, and PET-N response was an independent prognostic factor for 5-year DSS. CONCLUSION: The PET-N response is a highly predictive prognostic marker for TESCC patients who undergo NACRT followed by esophagectomy. The PET-N response may help clinicians to establish a strategy for perioperative treatments that improves survival for patients with lymph node metastasis in TESCC.

Household income and medical help-seeking for fertility problems among a representative population in Japan.
Arisa Iba, Eri Maeda, Seung Chik Jwa, Ayako Yanagisawa-Sugita, Kazuki Saito, Akira Kuwahara, Hidekazu Saito, Yukihiro Terada, Osamu Ishihara, Yasuki Kobayashi
Reproductive health, 18, 1, 165, 165, 03 Aug. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Fertility treatments help many infertile couples to have children. However, disparities exist in access to fertility tests and treatments. We investigated the association between household income and medical help-seeking for fertility in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the National Fertility Survey 2015. Respondents were 6598 married women younger than 50 years old. The primary outcome was medical help-seeking for fertility among those who experienced fertility problems. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the association between household income and medical help-seeking, adjusting for age, length of marriage, educational level, employment status, number of children, childbearing desires, living with parents, and region of residence. RESULTS: Among 2253 (34%) women who experienced fertility problems, 1154 (51%) sought medical help. The proportion of help-seekers increased linearly from 43% in the low-income group (< 4 million Japanese yen [JPY]) to 59% in the high-income group (≥ 8 million JPY) (P for trend < 0.001). Respondents with upper-middle (6-8 million JPY) or high household income were more likely to seek medical help, compared to those with low household income: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.86) and aOR 1.78 (95% CI: 1.29-2.47), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that higher household income was associated with a higher probability of seeking medical help among Japanese women who experienced fertility problem. Along with policy discussion about additional financial support, further studies from societal, cultural, or psychological views are required.

Differences in treatment and survival between elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer in metropolitan areas and other areas.
Satoru Motoyama, Eri Maeda, Katsunori Iijima, Akira Anbai, Yusuke Sato, Akiyuki Wakita, Yushi Nagaki, Hiromu Fujita, Yoshihiro Minamiya, Takahiro Higashi
Cancer science, 112, 10, 4281, 4291, 19 Jul. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, To address the major issue of regional disparity in the treatment for elderly cancer patients in an aging society, we compared the treatment strategies used for elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and their survival outcomes in metropolitan areas and other regions. Using the national database of hospital-based cancer registries in 2008-2011, patients aged 75 years or older who had been diagnosed with thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled. We divided the patients into two groups: those treated in metropolitan areas (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures) with populations of 6 million or more and those treated in other areas (the other 41 prefectures). Compared were patient backgrounds, treatment strategies, and survival curves at each cancer stage. In total, 1236 (24%) patients from metropolitan areas and 3830 (76%) patients from nonmetropolitan areas were enrolled. Patients in metropolitan areas were treated at more advanced stages. There was also a difference in treatment strategy. The 3-year survival rate among cStage I patients was better in metropolitan areas (71.6% vs. 63.7%), and this finding mainly reflected the survival difference between patients treated with radiotherapy alone. For cStage II-IV patients, there were no differences. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis including interaction terms between treatment areas, cStage, and the first-line treatments revealed that treatments in the metropolitan areas were significantly associated with better survival among patients treated with radiotherapy alone for cStage I cancer. Treatment strategies for elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and its survival outcomes differed between metropolitan areas and other regions.

コンジョイント分析による生殖補助医療の費用と受療意思の関連の検討　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理, 左 勝則, 熊澤 由紀代, 齊藤 和毅, 射場 有紗, 柳澤 綾子, 桑原 章, 齊藤 英和, 寺田 幸弘, 福田 敬, 石原 理, 小林 廉毅
東北公衆衛生学会誌, 70, 36, 36, 東北公衆衛生学会, Jul. 2021
Japanese

大学病院に勤務する女性看護師における性周期に伴う身体不定愁訴の離職意向に及ぼす影響　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
太田 友, 野村 恭子, 平山 純子, 前田 恵理, 小松 順子, 中村 美央, 山田 楼子, 石川 ひとみ, 小林 禎子, 白川 秀子, 土谷 明子, 平池 春子, 合阪 幸三, 平池 修, 冲永 寛子
東北公衆衛生学会誌, 70, 10, 10, 東北公衆衛生学会, Jul. 2021
Japanese

Cesarean delivery rates for overall and multiple pregnancies in Japan: A descriptive study using nationwide health insurance claims data
Eri Maeda, Osamu Ishihara, Jun Tomio, Hiroshi Miura, Yasuki Kobayashi, Yukihiro Terada, Katsuyuki Murata, Kyoko Nomura
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 47, 6, 2099, 2109, Wiley, 28 Jun. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, AIM: Due to the lack of national perinatal registries, population-wide descriptive statistics on cesarean deliveries in Japan are unknown. We aim to describe cesarean deliveries for overall and multiple pregnancies using the Japan National Database of health insurance claims. METHODS: We calculated the national and prefectural cesarean delivery rates for overall and multiple pregnancies in 2014. We described maternal morbidities (e.g., blood transfusion) and the place and type of the institutions providing prenatal and perinatal care. RESULTS: The national cesarean delivery rates were 18.6% overall and 82.7% for women with multiple pregnancies. Prefectural cesarean delivery rates for overall and multiple pregnancies varied from 12.5% to 24.2% and from 49.2% to 100%, respectively, showing a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Overall, 1.4% of cesarean patients received an allogeneic blood transfusion, compared to 3.2% for those with multiple pregnancies. In addition, 65.9% of overall cesarean deliveries occurred at hospitals with ≥20 beds, whereas 94.6% of cesarean patients with multiple pregnancies delivered at hospitals. Older patients were more likely to receive their cesarean section at a different institution than their first visit within the same prefecture, but trans-prefectural movement during pregnancy covered by health insurance was most frequent among those in their early thirties: 7.0% overall and 10.7% for multiple pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: The overall cesarean delivery rate in Japan was optimal, but the rate was high for multiple pregnancies, with large regional differences. Data on patient movement across institutions and areas would help to improve the perinatal care system.

Effects of localisation of uterine adenomyosis on outcome of in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.
Takuya Iwasawa, Toshifumi Takahashi, Eri Maeda, Koichi Ishiyama, Satoshi Takahashi, Ryota Suganuma, Koki Matsuo, Masahito Tachibana, Rie Fukuhara, Hiromitsu Shirasawa, Wataru Sato, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Yukihiro Terada
Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 19, 1, 84, 84, 04 Jun. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Uterine adenomyosis is a benign disease, common among women in their 40 and 50 s, characterised by ectopic endometrial tissue in the uterine myometrial layer. Adenomyosis causes infertility and has a negative effect on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryo transfer (ET) cycles. It has also been reported to have different characteristics depending on the adenomyotic lesion localisation. The effect of its localisation on IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether adenomyotic lesion localisation, assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was associated with outcomes of IVF/ICSI-ET cycles. METHODS: This multicentre, joint, retrospective cohort study analysed the medical records of 67 infertile patients with adenomyosis who underwent IVF/ICSI with fresh and frozen-thawed ET at five participating facilities from January 2012 to December 2016 and for whom MRI data were available. Fifteen patients were excluded; therefore, the MRI data of 52 patients were evaluated by two radiologists. We assessed the localisation of and classified adenomyotic lesions into advanced (invades the full thickness of the uterine myometrium), extrinsic (localised on the serosal side), and intrinsic (localised on the endometrial side) subtypes. RESULTS: There were 40 advanced, nine extrinsic, and three intrinsic cases, and the outcomes of 100, 27, and nine ET cycles, respectively, were analysed. Pregnancy loss/clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of the advanced, extrinsic, and intrinsic groups were 64 % (16/25) and 9 % (9/100), 33.3 % (3/9) and 22.2 % (6/27), and 50 % (1/2) and 11.1 % (1/9), respectively. A logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, prior miscarriage, and body mass index showed that the extrinsic group had fewer pregnancy losses (odds ratio 0.06; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.00-0.54, p = 0.026) and more live births (odds ratio 6.05; 95 % CI: 1.41-29.65, p = 0.018) than the advanced group. CONCLUSIONS: Adenomyotic lesions exert different effects on IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes. Thus, MRI assessments of adenomyosis in infertile patients are beneficial. Establishment of treatment plans based on adenomyotic lesion localisation should be considered.

Cross-sectional survey of depressive symptoms and suicide-related ideation at a Japanese national university during the COVID-19 stay-home order.
Kyoko Nomura, Sachiko Minamizono, Eri Maeda, Roseline Kim, Toyoto Iwata, Junko Hirayama, Kyoichi Ono, Masahito Fushimi, Takeshi Goto, Kazuo Mishima, Fumio Yamamoto
Environmental health and preventive medicine, 26, 1, 30, 30, 05 Mar. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal

IGF2BP3 Expression Correlates With Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Akiyuki Wakita, Satoru Motoyama, Yusuke Sato, Yushi Nagaki, Hiromu Fujita, Kaori Terata, Kazuhiro Imai, Eri Maeda, Yoshihiro Minamiya
The Journal of surgical research, 259, 137, 144, Mar. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) is an oncofetal RNA-binding protein normally involved in cell growth and migration during the early stages of embryogenesis. However, it is also expressed in various cancers, and the relationship between IGF2BP3 and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients is not fully understood. Our aim in this study was to determine whether IGF2BP3 expression status correlates with prognosis in patients with advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The IGF2BP3 expression statuses of 177 patients treated with esophagectomy without preoperative therapy were evaluated immunohistochemically using tissue microarray analysis. The relationships between IGF2BP3 expression status and clinicopathological features and survival were then assessed using appropriate statistics. RESULTS: Among 177 esophageal tumors, 122 (68.9%) expressed high levels of IGF2BP3. In patients undergoing surgery alone, IGF2BP3-high expression was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis. By contrast, there were no significant associations between IGF2BP3 expression and clinicopathological features or outcomes in patients treated with surgery plus postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: IGF2BP3 positivity in advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients treated with surgery alone.

【QOLを考える】不妊症とQOL　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
産科と婦人科, 88, 3, 325, 329, (株)診断と治療社, Mar. 2021, [Invited]
Japanese

The International Fertility Education Initiative: Research and action to improve fertility awareness
Harper, J.C., Hammarberg, K., Simopoulou, M., Koert, E., Pedro, J., Massin, N., Fincham, A., Balen, A., Bagocsi, T., Balaban, B., Blanchet, V., Bodin, M., Boivin, J., Carvalho, A., Delbaere, I., De Vos, M., Dirican, K., De Mouzon, J., Ragnar, M.E., Ergin, E., Findikli, N., Grace, B., Gurgan, T., Hepburn, J., Ho, T., Holubcova, Z., Jallorina, S., Johnson, S., Karakoc, L., Libichov{\'a}, L., MacHac, S., Maeda, E., Magli, C., Martins, M.V., Merckx, M., Mertes, H., Murat, B., Enkhtaivan, O., Pantou, A., Ramos, M.M., Rautakallio-Hokkanen, S., Rio, V., Rita, A., Santos, T.A., Schmidt, L., Unsal, E., Ziebe, S?
Human Reproduction Open, 2021, 4, 2021
Scientific journal

Associations between blood arsenic and urinary arsenic species concentrations as an exposure characterization tool.
Yuko Takayama, Yuko Masuzaki, Futoshi Mizutani, Toyoto Iwata, Eri Maeda, Mikako Tsukada, Kyoko Nomura, Yasunori Ito, Yoichi Chisaki, Katsuyuki Murata
The Science of the total environment, 750, 141517, 141517, 01 Jan. 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Blood arsenic has various toxicities including carcinogenicity, but urinary concentrations are often substituted to determine the exposure level. Since there is little information on the relation of urinary arsenic species to blood arsenic, the aim was to investigate relationships between blood total arsenic (T-As) and the urinary species adjusted by creatinine and specific gravity (SG). Blood and spot urine samples were collected from 109 Japanese subjects aged 18-66 years without occupational exposure. Positive correlations of blood T-As (median, 3.49 μg/L) with urinary creatinine-adjusted and SG-adjusted T-As and arsenobetaine were statistically significant and greater than those with the unadjusted ones. The magnitude of associations of blood T-As with creatinine-adjusted arsenic species was significantly larger than those with unadjusted or SG-adjusted ones. Most of the correlation coefficients among urinary arsenic species concentrations were significant in three adjustment methods, but there was not a significant correlation between monomethylarsonic acid and arsenobetaine after urinary creatinine and SG corrections. Given multiple regression analysis, plasma T-As concentrations showed significant relations to creatinine-adjusted T-As, dimethylarsinic acid, and arsenobetaine concentrations, but erythrocyte T-As did hardly reflect the variation of urinary arsenic species. In conclusion, creatinine-adjusted arsenic concentrations are suggested to be the most appropriate predictor of blood T-As; by contrast, use of the urinary unadjusted arsenic concentration may result in a misleading interpretation of inorganic arsenic toxicity because the associations between inorganic and organic arsenic species based on the unadjusted concentration were mutually close. Plasma T-As appeared to be the best indicator of low-level exposure in blood samples.

Live visualisation of electrolytes during mouse embryonic development using electrolyte indicators.
Akiko Fujishima, Kazumasa Takahashi, Mayumi Goto, Takeo Hirakawa, Takuya Iwasawa, Kazue Togashi, Eri Maeda, Hiromitsu Shirasawa, Hiroshi Miura, Wataru Sato, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Yukihiro Terada
PloS one, 16, 1, e0246337, 2021, [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, Studies have shown that some electrolytes, including Na+ and K+, play important roles in embryonic development. However, these studies evaluated these electrolytes by using inhibitors or knockout mice, with no mention on the changes in the intracellular electrolyte concentrations during embryogenesis. In this study, we used the electrolyte indicators CoroNa Green AM and ION Potassium Green-2 AM to directly visualise intracellular concentrations of Na+ and K+, respectively, at each embryonic developmental stage in mouse embryos. We directly observed intracellular electrolyte concentrations at the morula, blastocyst, and hatching stages. Our results revealed dynamic changes in intracellular electrolyte concentrations; we found that the intracellular Na+ concentration decreased, while K+ concentration increased during blastocoel formation. The degree of change in intensity in response to ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+/K+ ATPase, was considered to correspond to the degree of Na+/K+ ATPase activity at each developmental stage. Additionally, after the blastocyst stage, trophectoderm cells in direct contact with the blastocoel showed higher K+ concentrations than in direct contact with inner cell mass, indicating that Na+/K+ ATPase activity differs depending on the location in the trophectoderm. This is the first study to use CoroNa Green AM and ION Potassium Green-2 AM in mouse embryos and visualise electrolytes during embryonic development. The changes in electrolyte concentration observed in this study were consistent with the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase reported previously, and it was possible to image more detailed electrolyte behaviour in embryo cells. This method can be used to improve the understanding of cell physiology and is useful for future embryonic development studies.

Promoting fertility awareness and preconception health using a chatbot: a randomized controlled trial.
Eri Maeda, Akane Miyata, Jacky Boivin, Kyoko Nomura, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Hiromitsu Shirasawa, Hidekazu Saito, Yukihiro Terada
Reproductive biomedicine online, 41, 6, 1133, 1143, Elsevier BV, Dec. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the effects of using a fertility education chatbot, i.e. automatic conversation programme, on knowledge, intentions to improve preconception behaviour and anxiety? DESIGN: A three-armed, randomized controlled trial was conducted using an online social research panel. Participants included 927 women aged 20-34 years who were randomly allocated to one of three groups: a fertility education chatbot (intervention group), a document about fertility and preconception health (control group 1) or a document about an irrelevant topic (control group 2). Participants' scores on the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, their intentions to optimize preconception behaviours, e.g. taking folic acid, and the free-text feedback provided by chatbot users were assessed. RESULTS: A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant fertility knowledge gains after the intervention in the intervention group (+9.1 points) and control group 1 (+14.9 points) but no significant change in control group 2 (+1.1 points). Post-test increases in the intentions to optimize behaviours were significantly higher in the intervention group than in control group 2, and were similar to those in control group 1. Post-test state anxiety scores were significantly lower in the intervention group than in control group 1 and control group 2. User feedbacks about the chatbot suggested technical limitations, e.g. low comprehension of users' words, and pros and cons of using the chatbot, e.g. convenient versus coldness. CONCLUSIONS: Providing fertility education using a chatbot improved fertility knowledge and intentions to optimize preconception behaviour without increasing anxiety, but the improvement in knowledge was small. Further technical development and exploration of personal affinity for technology is required.

【プレコンセプションケアってなに?】世界のプレコンセプションケアの動向
前田 恵理
産科と婦人科, 87, 8, 881, 886, (株)診断と治療社, Aug. 2020, [Invited]
Japanese

Preconception folic acid supplementation use and the occurrence of neural tube defects in Japan.
Yuto Maeda, Eri Maeda, Naoko Arata
Congenital anomalies, 60, 3, 100, 100, May 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English

不妊治療中の女性労働者における労働環境と労働生産性
前田 恵理, 平池 修, 杉森 裕樹, 野村 恭子, 大須賀 穣
日本衛生学雑誌, 75, Suppl., S153, S153, (一社)日本衛生学会, Mar. 2020
Japanese

Esophagectomy performed at institutes certified by the Japan Esophageal Society provide long-term survival advantages to esophageal cancer patients: second report analyzing 4897 cases with propensity score matching.
Satoru Motoyama, Eri Maeda, Masahiko Yano, Takushi Yasuda, Masaichi Ohira, Yoshiaki Kajiyama, Takahiro Higashi, Yuichiro Doki, Hisahiro Matsubara
Esophagus : official journal of the Japan Esophageal Society, 17, 2, 141, 148, 14 Jan. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: It will be important for the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) to show an evident advantage of its institution certification system. To achieve this essential task, we used nationally acquired big data to re-analyze 5-year survival information. METHODS: In 2008-2009, there were 4897 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy and were registered in the National Database of Hospital-based Cancer Registries. We divided these patients into two groups, those who underwent surgery at an Authorized Institute for Board Certified Esophageal Surgeons (AIBCES) or a Non-AIBCES. We then compared the patient backgrounds and 5-year survival rates between these two groups, with and without propensity score matching. RESULTS: There were 3080 (63%) patients who underwent esophagectomy at an AIBCES and 1817 (37%) who underwent surgery at a Non-AIBCES. Comparison of the Kaplan-Meier survival curves using log-rank tests indicated a significant difference between the AIBCES and Non-AIBCES groups at all cStages (cStages I-IV). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis stratified by clinical stage and adjuvant treatment revealed that AIBCES vs. Non-AIBCES is a significant independent factor (adjusted HR 0.78) for survival. After propensity score matching ensuring the backgrounds of the two groups being equivalent, there were significant differences in the 5-year survival rates for patients with cStages I-III disease between the AIBCES and Non-AIBCES groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is a survival advantage to undergoing esophagectomy at an AIBCES. The institute certification system from the JES will contribute to the future establishment of a more appropriate surgery delivery system for thoracic esophageal cancer.

Domestic work stress and self-rated psychological health among women: a cross-sectional study in Japan
Eri Maeda, Kyoko Nomura, Osamu Hiraike, Hiroki Sugimori, Asako Kinoshita, Yutaka Osuga
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 24, 1, 75, 75, Springer Science and Business Media {LLC}, 17 Dec. 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Despite the huge burden of domestic work on women in Japan, its effects on their health have been poorly investigated. We aimed to assess the association between domestic work stress and self-rated psychological health among women. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using an online social research panel in February 2018. Participants were 2,000 women with paid work (the "workers" group) and 1,000 women without paid work (the "homemakers" group), aged between 25 and 59 years old and living with a partner. Self-rated psychological health (Mental Health and Vitality scales of the Japanese SF-36), occupational and domestic work stress (the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire), the 10-item Work-Family Conflict Scale, and sociodemographic factors were assessed. RESULTS: The workers had lower domestic job control and higher support from a partner and their parents than the homemakers (p < 0.001), whereas domestic job demand and psychological health were similar between the groups. After adjustment for the covariates using multiple linear regression models, better psychological health was significantly associated with lower domestic job demand, higher domestic job control, and having a young child in both groups. In addition, work-family conflicts and occupational job stress among the workers and caregiving among the homemakers showed negative associations with psychological health. CONCLUSION: Self-rated psychological health in women was associated with domestic work stress regardless of employment status. To promote women's health, we need to take into account the effects of domestic work, work-family conflicts, and social support from families, as well as occupational factors.

妊孕性・不妊に関する知識を高める授業プログラムの開発
楠木祥子, 秋月百合, 前田恵理
熊本大学教育学部紀要, 68, 68, 173, 179, 熊本大学, Dec. 2019, [Peer-reviewed]
Japanese, Research institution, type:論文(Article)
【目的】本研究では，大学生向けの妊孕性・不妊に関する知識を高める授業プログラムを作成し，その効果を検討することを目的とした．【方法】2017年4～5月，A大学教育学部1年生33名を介入群として授業プログラムを実施した．介入群を除く同学部1年生219名を対照群とし，Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale（CFKS）13項目および独自に作成した｢生殖に関する知識｣4項目を含むアンケートを，授業前は介入群および対照群に，授業後は介入群に実施した．分析には，χ2検定およびMcNemar検定，マンホイットニーU 検定，ウィルコクソン符号付順位検定を用いた．【結果】CFKS13項目中7項目で，対照群に比べ授業後の介入群の方が有意に正答率が高く，平均正答数も対照群より授業後の介入群が有意に高かった．介入群における授業前後のCFKSの正答率は，先述の7項目中5項目において授業後に有意に高まり，平均正答数も授業前より授業後のほうが有意に高かった．「生殖に関する知識」では4項目すべてにおいて，対照群より授業後の介入群が，また介入群の授業前より授業後の方が，有意に高い正答率であった．【結論】本研究で作成した妊孕性・不妊に関する知識を高める授業プログラムは，教育学部生の妊孕性・不妊に関する知識を高める可能性が示唆された．

プレコンセプションケアにおける教育・啓発の意義　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
産婦人科の実際, 68, 10, 1249, 1254, Oct. 2019, [Invited]
Japanese

Usefulness of a suction ball coagulation probe for hemostasis in complete VATS lobectomy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Deguchi, H., Tomoyasu, M., Shigeeda, W., Kaneko, Y., Kanno, H., Maeda, E., Saito, H.
Surgery Today, 49, 7, 580, 586, Jul. 2019, [Peer-reviewed]
Scientific journal

環境化学物質の妊孕性への影響 患者対照研究
前田 恵理, 村田 勝敬, 熊澤 由紀代, 佐藤 亘, 白澤 弘光, 岩澤 卓也, 出雲 公子, 龍田 希, 坂本 峰至, 寺田 幸弘
日本衛生学雑誌, 74, Suppl., S141, S141, (一社)日本衛生学会, Feb. 2019
Japanese

Associations of environmental exposures to methylmercury and selenium with female infertility: A case–control study
Eri Maeda, Katsuyuki Murata, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Wataru Sato, Hiromitsu Shirasawa, Takuya Iwasawa, Kimiko Izumo, Nozomi Tatsuta, Mineshi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Terada
Environmental Research, 168, 357, 363, Elsevier {BV}, Jan. 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Methylmercury exposure is a common health risk resulting from daily fish intake. However, studies addressing the link between methylmercury and infertility are limited and also inconsistent. In addition, no previous epidemiological studies have accounted for the interaction between methylmercury and selenium. We aimed to investigate the association between environmental exposures to metals and female fertility. METHODS: This case-control study included 98 infertile women receiving fertility treatment (infertile group) and 43 female workers in their thirties (control group) who provided blood samples and returned a questionnaire on lifestyles and dietary characteristics. Blood levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese, zinc, and selenium were compared between the groups. Spearman correlation analyses between anti-Müllerian hormone and the metals were conducted. RESULTS: The mean selenium level in blood (± SD) and the selenium/mercury molar ratio were significantly lower in the infertile group (189 ± 25 μg/L and 94.6 ± 44.3, respectively) than in the control group (200 ± 25 μg/L and 118.4 ± 70.5). By contrast, blood mercury levels after adjusting for blood selenium and age were significantly higher in the infertile group than in the control group. Multiple logistic regression analyses with the adjustment for the other metals and potential confounders confirmed significant associations of infertility with elevated mercury and reduced selenium levels. No significant correlations were observed between anti-Müllerian hormone and metals. CONCLUSIONS: Methylmercury and selenium exposures appear to have adverse and protective effects on female fertility, respectively. This is the first report to suggest the antagonistic interaction between methylmercury and selenium in relation to human female fertility.

Appropriateness of the institute certification system for esophageal surgeries by the Japan Esophageal Society: evaluation of survival outcomes using data from the National Database of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries in Japan.
Motoyama S, Maeda E, Yano M, Yasuda T, Ohira M, Doki Y, Toh Y, Higashi T, Matsubara H, Japan Esophageal Society
Esophagus : official journal of the Japan Esophageal Society, 16, 1, 114, 121, Oct. 2018, [Peer-reviewed], [Domestic magazines]
English, Scientific journal, BACKGROUND: Since 2013, The Japan Esophageal Society has been certifying "Authorized Institute for Board Certified Esophageal Surgeon (AIBCES)" to contribute to improving national medical care by enhancing the professional knowledge and skills of esophageal surgeons. However, the appropriateness on this certification system has not yet been verified. Our aim was to assess the appropriateness of the institute certification system for esophageal surgeries used by the medical society. METHODS: Using data from the National Database of Hospital-based Cancer Registries, we analyzed the 5-year overall survival rates among 2135 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent an esophagectomy at 53 AIBCES or 141 non-AIBCES. RESULTS: There were 1343 (63%) patients who underwent surgery at an AIBCES and 792 (37%) who underwent surgery at a non-AIBCES. Registered patients were followed up for a median of 53 (range 1-88) months. Over the followed-up period examined, 670 (50%) patients treated at an AIBCES died and 455 (57%) treated at a non-AIBCES died. Comparison of the Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that patients with cStage II or cStage III disease treated at an AIBCES had significantly better 5-year survival rates than those treated at a non-AIBCES (55.4% vs. 44.9% and 38.0% vs. 30.3%, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analyses stratified based on stages and adjuvant therapies revealed that institute certification (AIBCES vs. non-AIBCES) is a significant independent factor for 5-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: The institute certification system used by the Japan Esophageal Society may be appropriate, as indicated by improved 5-year survival outcomes. The institute certification system has the potential to contribute to a more appropriate medical delivery system in the future.

Two-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial: Knowledge and reproductive outcome after online fertility education
Maeda, E., Boivin, J., Toyokawa, S., Murata, K., Saito, H.
Human Reproduction, 33, 11, 2035, 2042, Sep. 2018, [Peer-reviewed]
Scientific journal

Assessment of cardiac autonomic function in relation to methylmercury neurotoxicity
Karita, K., Iwata, T., Maeda, E., Sakamoto, M., Murata, K.
Toxics, 6, 3, Jul. 2018, [Peer-reviewed]
Scientific journal

Cesarean section rates and local resources for perinatal care in Japan: A nationwide ecological study using the national database of health insurance claims
Eri Maeda, Osamu Ishihara, Jun Tomio, Aya Sato, Yukihiro Terada, Yasuki Kobayashi, Katsuyuki Murata
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 44, 2, 208, 216, Blackwell Publishing, 01 Feb. 2018, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Dilemma of Environmental Health Research
MURATA Katsuyuki, IWATA Toyoto, MAEDA Eri, KARITA Kanae
Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene), 73, 2, 148, 155, The Japanese Society for Hygiene, 2018
Japanese,

This article presents not only a brief overview of birth cohort studies focusing on environmental health in which the associations between health and environment were examined, but also a tentative plan to apply epidemiological data to benchmark dose calculation. According to the preceding studies, the checkpoints to be scrutinized when a result is not consistent with those of other researchers are as follows: (1) whether the study included all crucial confounders, (2) whether it included any exposure marker or confounder with a U-shaped dose-response curve, (3) whether the outcome measure was conducted by two or more examiners that might lead to measurement bias, (4) whether such examiners picked up information about exposure levels of the subjects before measuring the endpoints, and (5) whether subjects with different genetic factors were included in the analysis. In addition, (6) researchers conducting a children's study on developmental effects due to toxic substances must keep in mind that the impact of prenatal methylmercury exposure, independent of postnatal exposure, may continue for at least seven years. (7) When an environmental health research emphasizes to be population-based study, the levels of exposure to environmental chemical substances in developed countries with strict environmental regulations may be too low to examine a dose-response relationship for critical dose estimation. Such risk assessment should be carried out among the subjects with a wide range of exposure levels.

The association between work-related stress and autonomic imbalance among call center employees in Japan
Mamiko Enoki, Eri Maeda, Toyoto Iwata, Katsuyuki Murata
Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, 243, 4, 321, 328, Tohoku University Medical Press, 01 Dec. 2017, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Precarious Employment Is Not Associated with Increased Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study in Care Service Workers of Japan
Oa Tanaka, Eri Maeda, Masahito Fushimi, Toyoto Iwata, Tetsuo Shimizu, Seiji Saito, Katsuyuki Murata
TOHOKU JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE, 243, 1, 19, 26, Sep. 2017, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Estimation of the number of children with cerebral palsy using nationwide health insurance claims data in Japan
Satoshi Toyokawa, Eri Maeda, Yasuki Kobayashi
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY, 59, 3, 317, 321, Mar. 2017, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Characteristics of hand tremor and postural sway in patients with fetal-type Minamata disease
Toyoto Iwata, Shigeru Takaoka, Mineshi Sakamoto, Eri Maeda, Masaaki Nakamura, Xiao-Jie Liu, Katsuyuki Murata
JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 41, 6, 757, 763, Dec. 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Effects of financial support on treatment of adolescents with growth hormone deficiency: a retrospective study in Japan
Eri Maeda, Takahiro Higashi, Tomonobu Hasegawa, Susumu Yokoya, Takahiro Mochizuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Junko Ito, Susumu Kanzaki, Akira Shimatsu, Koji Takano, Toshihiro Tajima, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yusuke Tanahashi, Akira Teramoto, Toshiro Nagai, Kunihiko Hanew, Reiko Horikawa, Toru Yorifuji, Naohiro Wada, Toshiaki Tanaka
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, 16, 1, 602, Oct. 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

メチル水銀、水銀およびセレンに関する研究動向 疫学研究を中心に　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
苅田 香苗, 坂本 峰至, 吉田 稔, 龍田 希, 仲井 邦彦, 岩井 美幸, 岩田 豊人, 前田 恵理, 柳沼 梢, 佐藤 洋, 村田 勝敬
日本衛生学雑誌, 71, 3, 236, 251, (一社)日本衛生学会, Sep. 2016
Japanese

Effects of fertility education on knowledge, desires and anxiety among the reproductive-aged population: findings from a randomized controlled trial
E. Maeda, F. Nakamura, Y. Kobayashi, J. Boivin, H. Sugimori, K. Murata, H. Saito
HUMAN REPRODUCTION, 31, 9, 2051, 2060, Sep. 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Fertility knowledge and the timing of first childbearing: a cross-sectional study in Japan
Eri Maeda, Fumiaki Nakamura, Jacky Boivin, Yasuki Kobayashi, Hiroki Sugimori, Hidekazu Saito
HUMAN FERTILITY, 19, 4, 275, 281, 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Recent Epidemiological Studies on Methylmercury, Mercury and Selenium
KARITA Kanae, SATOH Hiroshi, MURATA Katsuyuki, SAKAMOTO Mineshi, YOSHIDA Minoru, TATSUTA Nozomi, NAKAI Kunihiko, IWAI-SHIMADA Miyuki, IWATA Toyoto, MAEDA Eri, YAGINUMA-SAKURAI Kozue
Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene), 71, 3, 236, 251, The Japanese Society for Hygiene, 2016
Japanese,

More than sixty years has passed since the outbreak of Minamata disease, and high-level methylmercury contaminations now seem nonexistent in Japan. However, mercury has been continuously discharged from natural sources and industrial activities, and the health effects on children susceptible to methylmercury exposure at low levels, in addition to mercury contamination from mercury or gold mining areas in developing countries, become a worldwide concern. In this article, we provide a recent overview of epidemiological studies regarding methylmercury and mercury. The following findings were obtained. (1) Many papers on exposure assessment of methylmercury/mercury have been published since the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in 2013. (2) The most crucial problem is child developmental neurotoxicity resulting from prenatal exposure to methylmercury, but its precise assessment seems to be difficult because most of such effects are neither severe nor specific. (3) Several problems raised in birth cohort studies (e.g., whether IQ deficits due to prenatal methylmercury exposure remain when the children become adults, or whether the postnatal exposure at low levels also causes such adverse effects in children) remain unsolved. (4) Concurrent exposure models of methylmercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, aresenic, and organochlorine pesticides, as well as possible antagonists such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and selenium, should be considered in the study design because the exposure levels of methylmercury are extremely low in developed countries. (5) Further animal experiments and molecular biological studies, in addition to human studies, are required to clarify the mechanism of methylmercury toxicity.

本邦女子大学生の「医学的理由でない卵子凍結・保存」に関する意識調査研究
瀬戸 さち恵, 梶原 健, 前田 恵理, 石原 理
産婦人科の実際, 64, 12, 1941, 1948, 金原出版(株), Nov. 2015
Japanese, 看護学、保健栄養学、文学、経済学、商学系学部に所属する女子大学生353名を対象に、「医学的理由ではない卵子凍結・保存」に対する意識について無記名アンケート調査を行い、263名から回答を得(回答率74.5%)、うち解析対象は244名(平均年齢19.3歳)であった。卵子凍結が現在可能なことを「知っていた」41.4%、自分の卵子を自分が使用するための凍結保存を「したいと思う・どちらかと言えばしたいと思う」34.9%であり、卵子凍結に慎重な者ほど卵子凍結に対する知識が有意に高かった。あなたの凍結卵子を知り合いに「提供してもよい」7.1%、第三者に「提供してもよい」17.6%、自分のための卵子凍結の条件は「子供への安全性」73.4%、「不妊」54.5%、「将来の妊娠能力に影響しない」47.5%、他者の卵子凍結を認める条件は「ガン」76.2%、「不妊」84.4%などであった。

Effects of work stress and home stress on autonomic nervous function in Japanese male workers
Eri Maeda, Toyoto Iwata, Katsuyuki Murata
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH, 53, 2, 132, 138, Mar. 2015, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

A cross sectional study on fertility knowledge in Japan, measured with the Japanese version of Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J)
Eri Maeda, Hiroki Sugimori, Fumiaki Nakamura, Yasuki Kobayashi, Joseph Green, Machi Suka, Masako Okamoto, Jacky Boivin, Hidekazu Saito
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, 12, 10, Jan. 2015, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

Age-specific cost and public funding of a live birth following assisted reproductive treatment in Japan
Eri Maeda, Osamu Ishihara, Hidekazu Saito, Akira Kuwahara, Satoshi Toyokawa, Yasuki Kobayashi
JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH, 40, 5, 1338, 1344, May 2014, [Peer-reviewed]
English, Scientific journal

魚介類の適正摂取について　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 日本産婦人科医会 研修ノート, 115, Jan. 2026, [Invited]
Others

若い世代へのプレコンセプションケアの提供　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 『教育最新動向 2026 必ず押さえておきたい時事ワード 60&視点 120』, Dec. 2025, [Invited]

未来に備えるためのプレコンセプションケア 専門家の立場から　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 公衆衛生情報, Sep. 2025, [Invited]

解説 プレコンセプションケア
前田恵理, 北海道の公衆衛生, 51, Jul. 2025, [Invited]

高校生の身体活動と日常 ストレスと課題と歩数の関係
鬼頭 佑弥, 野崎 昊佑, 林 咲奈, 堀合 悠, 伊藤 大翔, 小宅 海斗, 西崎 心晴, 村中 幸一, 前田 恵理, 黒鳥 偉作, 木村 尚史, 玉腰 暁子, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 83回, 368, 368, Oct. 2024
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

少子化社会における大学生の交際、結婚、子どもをもつことへの意識
小板 大祐, 民宅 航平, 国井 大和, 若杉 泰樹, 大浦 実結梨, 深井 世奈, 前田 恵理, 黒鳥 偉作, 木村 尚史, 村上 歩, 玉腰 暁子, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 83回, 409, 409, Oct. 2024
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

北海道大学新入生における奨学金と学生生活との関連について
片山 智誠, 草刈 日織, 酒井 伶, 柴 真花, 冨江 耕, 黒鳥 偉作, 木村 尚史, 前田 恵理, 玉腰 暁子, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 83回, 429, 429, Oct. 2024
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

若者の性に関する知識と自己評価との関連
上田 朔太郎, 四宮 郁萌, 砂塚 翔大, 向山 璃空, 新井 彩巴, 吉尾 春真, 前田 恵理, 黒鳥 偉作, 村上 歩, 木村 尚史, 玉腰 暁子, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 83回, 434, 434, Oct. 2024
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

大学生のジェンダー意識と背景要因
南 泰輔, 池田 拓斗, 加良谷 穂乃香, 坂本 翔, 南波 大惺, 松浦 晟那, 黒鳥 偉作, 木村 尚史, 前田 恵理, 玉腰 暁子, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 83回, 434, 434, Oct. 2024
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

大学生1,503名における日本語版トロント共感尺度の開発と信頼性・妥当性の検討
岩澤敦史, 岩澤敦史, 野村恭子, 前田恵理, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集(CD-ROM), 83rd, 2024

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4~令和5年度
前田恵理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和5年度 総合研究報告書(Web), 2024

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 オーストラリアにおける不妊治療の情報提供
前田恵理, 左勝則, 石原理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和5年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2024

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究
前田恵理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和5年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2024

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 米国における不妊治療の情報提供
前田恵理, 左勝則, 石原理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和5年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2024

秋田県カドミウム土壌汚染地域住民健康調査により見出された尿細管機能障害症例の検討
堀口兵剛, 小熊悦子, 大森由紀, 小林桃子, 熊澤由美子, 徳本真紀, 姫野誠一郎, 内田正美, 前田恵理, 小松田敦, 日本衛生学雑誌(Web), 79, Supplement, 2024

すべての若者に届けたいプレコンセプションケア
前田恵理, 熊本県母性衛生学会雑誌, 27, 2024

不妊症の有病率に関する疫学研究
前田恵理, Journal of Mammalian Ova Research, 41, 1, 2024

被虐待経験と成人期の性交未経験との関連
松原玄馬, 前田恵理, 黒鳥偉作, 木村尚史, 玉腰暁子, 日本疫学会学術総会講演集(Web), 34th, Suppl., 156, 156, 2024
(一社)日本疫学会, Japanese

秋田県内へのプレコンセプションケア周知に向けた活動
藤嶋 明子, 前田 恵理, 菊地 麻里, 水田 圭, 菅原 香織, 大木 春菜, 佐藤 高輝, 寺田 幸弘, 産科と婦人科, 90, 7, 799, 806, Jul. 2023, [Peer-reviewed]
(株)診断と治療社, Japanese

【生殖医療の保険適用の実際I】各国の生殖医療への保険適用状況について
石原 理, 前田 恵理, 産婦人科の実際, 72, 5, 469, 473, May 2023
金原出版(株), Japanese

不妊症に関する社会医学的研究 予防から治療支援まで
前田 恵理, 日本衛生学雑誌, 78, Suppl., S86, S87, Mar. 2023
(一社)日本衛生学会, Japanese

不妊症に関する社会医学的研究 予防から治療支援まで
前田 恵理, 日本衛生学雑誌, 78, Suppl., S86, S87, Mar. 2023
(一社)日本衛生学会, Japanese

コロナ禍における大学生のこころの健康 全国緊急事態宣言後1年の縦断的評価
野村 恭子, 山崎 貞一郎, 前田 恵理, 平山 純子, 大貫 佑佳, 尾野 恭一, 伏見 雅人, 三島 和夫, 山本 文雄, 日本衛生学雑誌, 78, Suppl., S177, S177, Mar. 2023
(一社)日本衛生学会, Japanese

生殖補助医療の保険適用が医療費および患者自己負担額に及ぼす影響の検討　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
左 勝則, 後藤 励, 前田 恵理, 梶原 健, 石原 理, Journal of Epidemiology, 33, Suppl.1, 91, 91, Feb. 2023
(一社)日本疫学会, Japanese

生殖補助医療の保険適用が医療費および患者自己負担額に及ぼす影響の検討
左 勝則, 後藤 励, 前田 恵理, 梶原 健, 石原 理, Journal of Epidemiology, 33, Suppl.1, 91, 91, Feb. 2023
(一社)日本疫学会, Japanese

生涯を通じた健康の実現に向けた「人生最初の1000日」のための,妊娠前から出産後の女性に対する栄養・健康に関する知識の普及と行動変容のための研究 プレコンセプション期女性の前向きコホート研究:地方都市コホートのベースライン調査結果
前田恵理, 生涯を通じた健康の実現に向けた「人生最初の1000日」のための、妊娠前から出産後の女性に対する栄養・健康に関する知識の普及と行動変容のための研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 スウェーデンにおける不妊治療の情報提供
前田恵理, 左勝則, 石原理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 英国における不妊治療の情報提供
前田恵理, 左勝則, 石原理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 韓国における不妊治療の情報提供
前田恵理, 左勝則, 石原理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究
前田恵理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 不妊治療中の女性における,医療機関選択に関する質問紙調査
前田恵理, 永野妙子, 松本亜樹子, 大須賀穣, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 ART実施施設に対する治療情報・成績の開示についてのアンケート調査
左勝則, 前田恵理, 不妊治療における情報提供の方策等の確立に向けた研究 令和4年度 総括・分担研究報告書(Web), 2023

42歳未満の女性フルタイムワーカーにおける月経前症候群に関する健康尺度の開発
清水紀翔, 竹之下千尋, 前田恵理, 野村恭子, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集(CD-ROM), 82nd, 2023

生殖看護に期待したいプレコンセプションケア
前田恵理, 日本生殖看護学会学術集会プログラム・講演集, 21st, 2023

月経前症候群のセルフチェックシートによる啓発と受診行動および症状の変化
大関千潤, 前田恵理, 平池修, 野村恭子, 大須賀穣, 秋田県公衆衛生学雑誌, 18, 1, 2023

ART実施施設における治療情報・成績の開示に対する実態調査
左勝則, 前田恵理, 石原理, 辻村晃, 寺田幸弘, 大須賀穣, 日本生殖医学会雑誌, 68, 4, 2023

秋田県南部のカドミウム土壌汚染地域における農業従事者のカドミウム曝露とその健康影響
堀口兵剛, 小熊悦子, 大森由紀, 小林桃子, 熊澤由美子, 徳本真紀, 佐藤雅彦, 姫野誠一郎, 姫野誠一郎, 前田恵理, 前田恵理, Fundamental Toxicological Sciences (Web), 10, Supplement, 2023

周産期の栄養Q2 ヘルスリテラシーって何ですか？
前田恵理, 齊藤英和, 周産期医学, 52, 増刊, 5, 6, Nov. 2022, [Invited], [Lead author]
(株)東京医学社, Japanese

The validity of claim‐based cesarean deliveries in Japan
Eri Maeda, Hiroshi Miura, Yukihiro Terada, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 48, 7, 2021, 2022, Jul. 2022
Wiley

A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy vs. Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sato Yusuke, Motoyama Satoru, Maeda Eri, Wada Yuki, Wakita Akiyuki, Nagaki Yushi, Fujita Hiromu, Kemuriyama Kohei, Hayashi Kenjiro, Nomura Kyoko, Minamiya Yoshihiro, 秋田医学, 49, 1, 53, 63, 30 Jun. 2022
Background : Based on results from the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 9204 and JCOG 9907 trials, neoadjuvant-CF (cisplatin+5-fluorouracil) followed by esophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Japan. Recently, however, results from the JCOG 1109 trial revealed that neoadjuvant-DCF (docetaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil) provides significantly better overall survival (OS) than neoadjuvant-CF, whereas neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) did not produce significantly better outcomes than neoadjuvant-CF.Methods : We retrospectively identified 225 ESCC patients treated between December 2008 and December 2021 who received esophagectomy at Akita University Hospital. These patients were divided into neoadjuvant-CF (NAC, n=30) and NACRT (NACRT, n=195) groups before esophagectomy. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, we compared OS and disease-specific survival (DSS) between the two groups.Results : The pathological response to treatment was significantly better in the NACRT than the NAC group. Although 5-year OS and DSS were better in the NACRT than NAC group, these differences did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion : Among patients with locally advanced thoracic ESCC, NACRT produced a significantly better pathological response than NAC. However, NACRT did not produce significantly better long-term survival than NAC, which is consistent with the results of JCOG 1109., 秋田医学会, English

【魚と健康-その健康影響と有益性を知る-】妊婦および乳幼児の魚摂取 健康リスク軽減のための食行動
村田 勝敬, 前田 恵理, 保健の科学, 63, 5, 313, 317, May 2021
(株)杏林書院, Japanese

Association of stay-home order during COVID-19 pandemic with depressive symptoms and suicide-related ideation in university students in Japan
野村恭子, 南園佐知子, 前田恵理, KIM Roseline, 岩田豊人, 平山純子, 尾野恭一, 伏見雅人, 後藤猛, 三島和夫, 山本文雄, 日本心身医学会総会ならびに学術講演会抄録集, 62nd (CD-ROM), 2021

生殖補助医療を利用する患者の所得と特定不妊治療支援事業利用状況および治療内容との関連　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
左 勝則, 石原 理, 桑原 章, 齊藤 和毅, 齊藤 英和, 寺田 幸弘, 前田 恵理, 日本生殖医学会雑誌, 65, 4, 349, 349, Nov. 2020
(一社)日本生殖医学会, Japanese

韓国・台湾の生殖補助医療公費負担制度　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理, 石原 理, 桑原 章, 左 勝則, 齊藤 和毅, 齊藤 英和, 寺田 幸弘, 日本生殖医学会雑誌, 65, 4, 352, 352, Nov. 2020
(一社)日本生殖医学会, Japanese

これから求められるSRHRとは（特集：ライフサイクルを見通したリプロダクティブ・ヘルス／ライツ）　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 家族と健康, 800, Nov. 2020, [Invited]
Introduction commerce magazine

リプロダクティブ・ヘルス プレコンセプションケア 公衆衛生学的視点からみたプレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理, 日本女性医学学会雑誌, 28, 1, 75, 75, Oct. 2020
(一社)日本女性医学学会, Japanese

都道府県等における特定不妊治療実施医療機関の認定審査状況　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理, 左 勝則, 小林 廉毅, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 79回, 283, 283, Oct. 2020
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

生殖補助医療を利用する患者の所得と特定不妊治療支援事業利用状況の関連　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
左 勝則, 小林 廉毅, 前田 恵理, 日本公衆衛生学会総会抄録集, 79回, 283, 283, Oct. 2020
日本公衆衛生学会, Japanese

pre-conception care 諸外国の取組から考えるプレコンセプションケア
前田 恵理, 母性衛生, 61, 3, 71, 71, Sep. 2020
(公社)日本母性衛生学会, Japanese

不妊治療中の女性労働者における労働環境と労働生産性
前田 恵理, 平池 修, 杉森 裕樹, 野村 恭子, 大須賀 穣, 日本衛生学雑誌, 75, Suppl., S153, S153, Mar. 2020
(一社)日本衛生学会, Japanese

本邦女子医学生の妊娠・出産に関する意識及び知識調査
金正 めぐみ, 前田 恵理, 村田 勝敬, 秋田県公衆衛生学雑誌, 14, 1, 29, 34, May 2018
秋田 : 秋田県公衆衛生学会, Japanese

コールセンター従業員における職業性ストレスと睡眠時間の関係
榎 真美子, 前田 恵理, 岩田 豊人, 村田 勝敬, 秋田県公衆衛生学雑誌, 14, 1, 15, 21, May 2018
秋田県公衆衛生学会, Japanese

職場のリスク評価につなげる健康管理とは
村田 勝敬, 前田 恵理, 岩田 豊人, 産業医学ジャーナル, 40, 3, 67, 71, May 2017
産業医学振興財団, Japanese

産業医に役立つ最新の研究報告 職場の健康管理 : 生活習慣を再考する
村田 勝敬, 岩田 豊人, 前田 恵理, 産業医学ジャーナル, 39, 3, 69, 73, May 2016
産業医学振興財団, Japanese

DOES FERTILITY KNOWLEDGE AFFECT LIFE PLANNING AND CHILDBEARING?
E. Maeda, F. Nakamura, J. Boivin, H. Sugimori, H. Saito, FERTILITY AND STERILITY, 102, 3, E247, E247, Oct. 2014
English, Summary international conference

Fertility knowledge among adults in Japan, measured with the Japanese version of Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J)
E. Maeda, H. Sugimori, F. Nakamura, Y. Kobayashi, J. Green, M. Suka, M. Okamoto, J. Boivin, H. Saito, HUMAN REPRODUCTION, 29, 274, 274, Jul. 2014
English, Summary international conference

Clinical features of sudden idiopathic hearing loss
NAKAHARA Haruka, MAEDA Eri, SAKATA Aki, MATSUZAKI Masaki, MUROFUSHI Toshihisa, jibi to rinsho, 55, 5, 175, 182, 2009
This study evaluated the efficacy of combination therapy with steroids, PGE, and Stellate ganglion block for sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss from April 2004 to December 2006 using the established clinical path. The patients comprised 51 ears, including 25 males (26 ears) and 25 females (25 ears), ranging from 15 to 81 years of age (average 51.8), and all were admitted to the hospital within 1 month from the onset of the disease. Hearing loss was assessed based on the criteria established by the Ministry of Health and Welfare Acute Severe Hearing Loss Group. The patients were distributed into four groups according to the severity of the disease. Recovery in the grade 1 group, was achieved within two weeks after the beginning of treatment. Grades 2, 3, and 4, showed a prolonged recovery, namely witni up to two months after the start of treatment. The improvement in the hearing level in the high frequency area was poor in all four groups. Those cases with diabetes mellitus (DM) showed a profound hearing loss, especially in the high frequency range and the improvement in this area was very poor., JIBI TO RINSHO KAI, Japanese

A case of parotid sialolithiasis successfully treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
前田 恵理, 中原 はるか, 坂田 阿希, 能勢 頼人, 竹島 雄太, 田島 惇, 室伏 利久, 耳鼻咽喉科・頭頸部外科, 80, 11, 797, 800, 20 Oct. 2008
株式会社医学書院

A case of primary lung cancer with 8th cranial neuropathy as the first sign of onset
高浪 太郎, 中西 わか子, 山田 智佳子, 井上 里可, 前田 恵理, 鈴木 光也, 耳鼻咽喉科・頭頸部外科, 80, 6, 367, 371, 20 May 2008
株式会社医学書院

Complications in Changing the Tracheostomy Tube after Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy
Maeda Eri, Kimura Miwako, Nito Takaharu, Takano Shingo, Tayama Niro, Nihon Kikan Shokudoka Gakkai Kaiho, 58, 5, 502, 506, 2007
Endoscopic percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) has come to be used widely in intensive care units. PDT is simple to perform and is reported to be as safe as surgical tracheostomy, but changing of the tracheostomy tube after PDT may be difficult. Here, we report a case whose tracheostomy tube was misplaced in the anterior mediastinum during a tube change after PDT. This case demonstrates the potential danger of changing the tube in the post-operative period. The surgical method and PDT are shown to differ with regard to the dimensions of the tracheostomy orifice and the passage from the orifice to the trachea. Additionally, we propose solutions for tube misplacement after PDT., The Japan Broncho-esophagological Society, Japanese

新高等保健体育 改訂版　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 不妊・不妊治療について考えよう
大修館書店, Apr. 2026, [Contributor]

最新教育動向2026 : 必ず押さえておきたい時事ワード60&視点120
教育の未来を研究する会, プレコンセプションケア
明治図書出版, Dec. 2025, 9784187026329, 255p, Japanese, [Contributor]

プレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
荒田 尚子, 三戸 麻子, 岡﨑 有香, ライフコースアプローチ
メジカルビュー社, Apr. 2024, 9784758321402, [Joint work]

少子化社会対策に関する意識調査報告書(妊娠・出産に関する意識調査)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
内閣府
Jun. 2019, [Others]

厚生労働科学研究補助金 平成３０年度研究報告書 不妊に悩む方への特定治療支援事業のあり方に関する医療政策的研究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
May 2019, [Others]

男性も女性も知っておきたい 妊娠・出産のリテラシー
齊藤英和, 杉森裕樹, 齊藤英和, 杉森裕樹, 第５章 適切な意思決定をする上で必要な、正しい知識獲得の重要性
大修館書店, Nov. 2018, 4469268534, 221, [Joint work]

ヘルスリテラシー :健康教育の新しいキーワード
中山 和弘, 福田 洋, 江口 泰正
大修館書店, Jun. 2016, 4469267953, 168, [Joint work]

FDAリスク&ベネフィット・コミュニケーション : エビデンスに基づく健康・医療に関する指針
Fischhoff Baruch, Brewer Noel T, Downs Julie S, 中山 健夫, 杉森 裕樹
丸善出版, 2015, 9784621089545, Japanese, [Joint translation]

食生活と妊孕性（シンポジウム２: DOHaD分野横断的融合研究が切り拓く食品安全性評価の新潮流）　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第12回日本DOHaD学会, 14 Oct. 2024, Nominated symposium
[Invited]

Feasibility and effectiveness of preconception check-ups at workplaces in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Fujishima A., Maeda E., Sato K., Saito H., Uchikawa Y., Sugiyama T., Terada Y.
6th European Conference on Preconception Health and Care, 19 Sep. 2024, Poster presentation

Teenagers’ experiences and attitudes toward sex and fertility education in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Akizuki Y., Maeda E., Takagishi Y., Okinaga C., Sato M., Mouri Y.
ESHRE 40th Annual Meeting, 07 Jul. 2024, Poster presentation

Fertility education improves knowledge and semen quality: an open-label randomized controlled trial on 382 healthy Japanese men　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda E., Kumazawa Y., Takahashi K., Tanaka T., Li H., Hao W., Saito H., Boivin J., Tamakoshi A., Nomura K., Terada Y., Okada H.
ESHRE 40th Annual Meeting,, 07 Jul. 2024, Poster presentation

不妊症の有病率に関する疫学研究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
日本卵子学会 倫理講習会, 19 May 2024, Public discourse
18 May 2024 - 19 May 2024, [Invited]

Fertility education: is it effective?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda E
ESHRE Campus workshop: Fertility education and reproductive decision-making: why, who, when and how?, 27 Oct. 2023, Nominated symposium
26 Oct. 2023 - 27 Oct. 2023, [Invited]

生殖看護に期待したいプレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
第21回日本生殖看護学会学術集会前日セミナー, 02 Sep. 2023, Public discourse
[Invited]

Attitudes and experiences regarding fertility education among health and physical education teachers and Yogo teachers in upper secondary schools in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Y. Akizuki, E. Maeda, T. Ohba, Y. Takagishi
ESHRE 39th Annual Meeting, Poster presentation
25 Jun. 2023 - 28 Jun. 2023

Frequency of sexual intercourse and fecundability among women trying to conceive in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda E, Akizuki Y, Fujishima A, Nomura K, Arata N
ESHRE 39th Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, Poster presentation
25 Jun. 2023 - 28 Jun. 2023

すべての若者に届けたいプレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
第27回熊本県母性衛生学会学術集会, 28 May 2023, Invited oral presentation
[Invited]

不妊症に関する社会医学的研究:予防から治療支援まで　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第93回日本衛生学会学術総会 奨励賞受賞講演, 03 Mar. 2023

全ての若者に知ってほしい、 プレコンセプションケア（妊娠前からの健康管理）とは　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
第５９回全国大学保健管理研究集会東北地方研究集会, 15 Jul. 2022, Invited oral presentation
[Invited]

女性活躍を阻害する要因とは　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
日本家族計画協会 指導者のための避妊と性感染症予防セミナー, 09 Jul. 2022, Public discourse
[Invited]

生涯を通じた切れ目ないケアへ：プレコンセプションケアを考える. 日本版プレコンセプションケアの現状と課題
前田恵理
第80回日本公衆衛生学会, 21 Dec. 2021, Public symposium
21 Dec. 2021 - 23 Dec. 2021, 30208482

不妊治療の保険適用は少子化対策となるか 韓国・台湾における不妊治療への経済的支援の拡大　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第66回日本生殖医学会学術講演会・総会, 12 Nov. 2021, Nominated symposium
11 Nov. 2021 - 12 Nov. 2021, [Invited]

Probability of receiving assisted reproductive technology treatment through out-of-pocket payment and household income: A discrete choice experiment in Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Eri Maeda, Seung Chik Jwa, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Kazuki Saito, Arisa Iba, Ayako Yanagisawa‐Sugita, Akira Kuwahara, Hidekazu Saito, Yukihiro Terada, Takashi Fukuda, Osamu Ishihara, Yasuki Kobayashi
37th Virtual Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, 26 Jun. 2021, Poster presentation
26 Jun. 2021 - 01 Jul. 2021

諸外国のプレコンセプションケアの動向：FertiSTATを中心に　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
看護薬理カンファレンス2020 in 東京, 20 Dec. 2020, Invited oral presentation
[Invited]

日本におけるプレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第６回プレコンセプションケア・オープンセミナー（プレコンセプションケア日米合同カンファレンス）, 12 Dec. 2020, Nominated symposium
[Invited]

生殖補助医療を利用する患者の所得と特定不妊治療支援事業利用状況および治療内容との関連　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
左勝則, 石原理, 桑原 章, 齊藤和毅, 齊藤英和, 寺田幸弘, 前田恵理
第65回日本生殖医学会学術講演会・総会, 03 Dec. 2020

韓国・台湾の生殖補助医療公費負担制度　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 石原理, 桑原章, 左勝則, 齊藤和毅, 齊藤英和, 寺田幸弘
第65回日本生殖医学会学術講演会・総会, 03 Dec. 2020

公衆衛生学的視点からみたプレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第35回日本女性医学学会学術集会, 22 Nov. 2020, Nominated symposium
[Invited]

生殖補助医療を利用する患者の所得と特定不妊治療支援事業利用状況の関連　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
左勝則, 小林廉毅, 前田恵理
第79回日本公衆衛生学会総会, 20 Oct. 2020, Oral presentation

都道府県等における特定不妊治療実施医療機関の認定審査状況　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理, 左勝則, 小林廉毅
第79回日本公衆衛生学会総会, 20 Oct. 2020, Oral presentation

諸外国の取組から考えるプレコンセプションケア　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第61回日本母性衛生学会総会, 10 Oct. 2020, Nominated symposium
09 Oct. 2020 - 10 Oct. 2020, [Invited]

Promoting fertility awareness and preconception health using a chatbot: A randomized controlled trial　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda E, Miyata A, Boivin J, Nomura K, Kumazawa Y, Shirasawa H, Saito H, Terada Y
36th Annual Meeting of ESHRE, 05 Jul. 2020, Poster presentation
05 Jul. 2020 - 08 Jul. 2020

不妊治療中の女性労働者における労働環境と労働生産性　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田恵理
第90回日本衛生学会学術総会, 27 Mar. 2020, Oral presentation
26 Mar. 2020 - 28 Mar. 2020

35歳未満女性におけるART助成金利用率に影響を及ぼす要因の探索　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
左勝則, 石原理, 桑原章, 齊藤英和, 齊藤和毅, 寺田幸弘, 小林廉毅, 前田恵理
第30回日本疫学会学術総会, 20 Feb. 2020, Poster presentation

副腎ホルモン産生異常症に関する保険未収載臨床検査の全国調査　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
髙橋克敏, 曽根正勝, 武田仁勇, 岩崎泰正, 石井智弘, 前田恵理, 長谷川奉延, 厚生労働省, 副腎ホルモン産生異常に関する調査研究班, 日本小児内分泌学会, 性分化, 副腎疾患委員会
日本内分泌学会第29回臨床内分泌代謝Update in Kochi, 29 Nov. 2019, Japanese, Poster presentation
[Domestic Conference]

プレコンセプション・ヘルス・ケアとは　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
指導者のための避妊と性感染症予防セミナー, 26 Oct. 2019, Japanese, Public discourse
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

日本のプレコンセプションケアを考える～公衆衛生の立場から～　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
プレコンセプションケアを考える会, 07 Oct. 2019, Public discourse
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

プレコンセプションケアと魚介類摂取　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
第43回日本女性栄養・代謝学会学術講演会, 06 Sep. 2019, Public discourse
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

プレコンセプション・ヘルス・ケアとは　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
指導者のための避妊と性感染症予防セミナー, 03 Aug. 2019, Others
[Invited]

International Symposium “How can we support infertile couples without health insurance? Perspective from public health（Japan)"　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Eri Maeda
日本受精着床学会総会・学術講演会 International Symposium, 02 Aug. 2019, English, Nominated symposium
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

Working conditions and fertility quality of life (FertiQoL): a cross-sectional study in Japan.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda, E, Hiraike, O, Murata, K, Sugimori, H, Osuga, Y
35th Annual Meeting of ESHRE, 25 Jun. 2019, English, Poster presentation
[International presentation]

晩産化に関わる母子健康課題の解決を目指して 妊娠・出産に関する医療政策的研究と予防医学的アプローチ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
令和元年度第１回産学官交流プラザ, 04 Jun. 2019, Japanese, Public discourse
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

倫理委員会企画： JSOG周産期・腫瘍・生殖データベースの新展開：生殖分野　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
第71回日本産科婦人科学会学術講演会, 14 Apr. 2019, Japanese, Nominated symposium
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

Two-year follow-up of a randomised control trial: knowledge and reproductive outcome after online fertility education　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda E, Boivin J, Toyokawa S, Murata K, Saito H
34th Annual Meeting of ESHRE - Barcelona 2018, 02 Jul. 2018, English, Oral presentation
[International presentation]

Various Japanese attempts to raise fertility awareness and stop declining fertility rates.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Maeda E, Saito H
Precongress Course n° 6 - 34th Annual Meeting of ESHRE - Barcelona 2018, 01 Jul. 2018, English
[Invited], [International presentation]

新しい時代のリプロダクティブヘルスを考える　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
前田 恵理
秋田県臨床細胞学会総会, 09 Jun. 2018, Japanese, Public discourse
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

妊娠・出産に関するリテラシー ―啓発の現状と効果―　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
第58回日本卵子学会学術集会
[Invited], [Domestic Conference]

The Ecology of Sexuality and Reproduction: A System Contributing to Declining Birthrates and Increasing Infertility
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
01 Apr. 2025 - 31 Mar. 2028
前田 恵理
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B), 25B101

日本文化適応型Well-being構造の解明と健康増進への統合的アプローチ
科学研究費助成事業
01 Apr. 2025 - 31 Mar. 2028
玉腰 暁子, 大田 えりか, 齋藤 英子, 立森 久照, 前田 恵理, 黒鳥 偉作
日本学術振興会, 基盤研究(A), 北海道大学, 25H01078

日本文化適応型Well-being構造の解明と健康増進への統合的アプローチ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
科学研究費助成事業
Apr. 2025 - Mar. 2028
玉腰 暁子, 大田 えりか, 黒鳥 偉作, 前田 恵理, 齋藤 英子, 立森 久照
日本学術振興会, 基盤研究（Ａ）, 25064887

Establishing a Preventive and Therapeutic Framework to Enhance Natural Conception
科学研究費助成事業
Apr. 2025 - Mar. 2028
前田恵理
日本学術振興会, Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B), Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Principal investigator, 25H01378

The Ecology of Sexuality and Reproduction: A System Contributing to Declining Birthr ates and Increasing Infertility
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Apr. 2025 - Mar. 2028
前田恵理
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B), Hokkaido University, Principal investigator, 25H01375

Evaluation of National Infertility Treatment Practices Using National Claim Databas
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Apr. 2024 - Mar. 2027
前田 恵理
JSPS, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, Principal investigator, 24K13521

Can Educational Interventions for Young Men Improve Semen Parameters and Future Fertility?
Strategic Research Promotion Program
Apr. 2021 - 2027
前田 恵理
先進諸国の男性の精液所見は近年悪化していることが知られていますが、一般男性を対象に生活環境要因と将来の妊娠出産との関係を長期的に評価した研究は極めて少ない状況です。本研究では男性を対象に、生活習慣や環境化学物質曝露等、修正可能なリスク因子を測定し、精液所見や将来の出生力との関連を明らかにします。さらに、将来の健康と家族形成を見据えた保健教育を実施し、男性への教育により不妊予防が可能か検討します。
Japan Science and Technology Agency, FOREST, 秋田大学, Principal investigator

Research on Strategies for Information Provision in Infertility Treatment　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Health and Labour Sciences Research Grant
Nov. 2022 - Mar. 2024
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 成育疾患克服等次世代育成基盤研究事業, Principal investigator, 22DA1003

Menstruation-related symptoms and work productivity in working female population
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
Apr. 2021 - Mar. 2024
野村 恭子, 岩田 豊人, 前田 恵理
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Akita University, 21H03192

Estimation of Infertility Prevalence and Barriers to Care in Japan
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Apr. 2021 - Mar. 2024
前田 恵理, 野村 恭子, 左 勝則, 小林 廉毅
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), 秋田大学, 21H03193

Examination of asymptomatic nervous effects by low-dose manganese exposure
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
01 Apr. 2018 - 31 Mar. 2022
Iwata Toyoto
Effects of toxic metals to standing postural sways and postural hand tremors were examined among workers of ferromanganese casting factories in a cross-sectional study. Spino-cerebellar disturbance type sway increase was found to be related to the increase in blood mercury (or arsenic). Decrease in several parameters including sway area when eyes closed were related to the increase in blood cadmium. Increase in blood manganese was related to the increase in 7 Hz tremor of dominant hand, and that in blood lead to the decrease in 10 Hz or larger frequency tremor of both hands.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Akita University, 18K10100

Cesarean delivery rates for overall and multiple pregnancies in Japan: a descriptive study using nationwide health insurance claims data
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
01 Apr. 2018 - 31 Mar. 2022
Maeda Eri
Due to the lack of national perinatal registries, population-wide descriptive statistics on cesarean deliveries in Japan are unknown. We aim to describe cesarean deliveries for overall and multiple pregnancies using the Japan National Database of health insurance claims. We calculated the national and prefectural cesarean delivery rates for overall and multiple pregnancies in 2014. We described maternal morbidities (e.g., blood transfusion) and the place and type of the institutions providing prenatal and perinatal care. The national cesarean delivery rates were 18.6% overall and 82.7% for women with multiple pregnancies. Prefectural cesarean delivery rates for overall and multiple pregnancies varied from 12.5% to 24.2% and from 49.2% to 100%, respectively, showing a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). The overall cesarean delivery rate in Japan was optimal, but the rate was high for multiple pregnancies, with large regional differences.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists, Akita University, 18K17372

女性特有の疾病に対する健診等による介入効果の評価研究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
女性の健康の包括的支援政策研究事業
Apr. 2019 - Mar. 2022
大須賀穣
厚生労働省, Competitive research funding

保健・医療・教育機関・産業等における女性の健康支援のための研究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
女性の健康の包括的支援政策研究事業
Apr. 2019 - Mar. 2021
荒田尚子
厚生労働省, Competitive research funding

Policy Research on Infertility Treatment Support Programs in Japan.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Health and Labour Sciences Research Grant
Apr. 2018 - Mar. 2021
Eri Maeda
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding

生涯を通じた健康の実現に向けた「人生最初の1000日」のための、妊娠前から 出産後の女性に対する栄養・健康に関する知識の普及と行動変容のための研究
成育疾患克服等次世代育成基盤研究事業(健やか次世代育成総合研究事業)
Apr. 2020
荒田尚子
厚生労働省, Coinvestigator

副腎ホルモン産生異常に関する調査研究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
難治疾患政策研究事業
Apr. 2017 - Mar. 2020
長谷川奉延
厚生労働省, Competitive research funding

Associations of environmental exposures to methylmercury and selenium with female infertility: A case-control study.
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
01 Apr. 2016 - 31 Mar. 2019
Murata Katsuyuki
To investigate the association between environmental exposures to metals and female fertility, we conducted a case-control study, including 98 infertile women (infertile group) and 43 female workers in their thirties (control group) who provided blood samples and returned a questionnaire on lifestyles and dietary characteristics. Blood levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese, zinc, and selenium were compared between the groups. The mean selenium level in blood and the selenium/mercury molar ratio were significantly lower in the infertile group than in the control group. By contrast, blood mercury levels after adjusting for blood selenium and age were significantly higher in the infertile group than in the control group. Multiple logistic regression analyses confirmed significant associations of infertility with elevated mercury and reduced selenium levels. Methylmercury and selenium exposures appear to have adverse and protective effects on female fertility, respectively.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Akita University, 16K09124

プレコンセプションケア啓発プログラムの開発および実践と評価　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Dec. 2017 - Nov. 2018
前田 恵理
ファイザーヘルスリサーチ振興財団, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding

Cesarean section rates and local resources for perinatal care in Japan
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
26 Aug. 2016 - 31 Mar. 2018
Maeda Eri
We examined nationwide CS statistics and evaluated the association with local resources for perinatal care. We used accumulated data for CS registered in the Japan National Database of health insurance claims in 2013 and calculated crude and age-standardized CS rates at national and prefectural levels. We analyzed the ecological associations with supply of obstetricians and institution and scale of obstetric facilities using multiple regression models. There were 190 361 cesarean deliveries in 2013, giving an overall CS rate of 18.5%, which varied by prefecture from 14.0% to 25.6%. In multiple regression analyses, the areal number of obstetricians (β = －0.58), the proportion of births at small-scale institutions (β = 0.36) and the number of beds at neonatal intensive care units per birth (β = －0.20) were significantly associated with the age-standardized elective CS rate . Higher elective CS rates might be associated with limited or unconsolidated medical resources.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up, Akita University, 16H06647

効果的な医療費助成のあり方に関する医療政策的研究
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows
25 Apr. 2014 - 31 Mar. 2016
前田 恵理
【経済的支援が成長ホルモン分泌不全性低身長症の治療に与える影響】
財団法人成長科学協会の症例データベースを用いて、経済的支援の有無が小児慢性疾患医療費助成の終了基準到達後の治療に与える影響について検討した。2001年1月～2013年5月に助成終了基準身長に到達するまで小児慢性疾患医療費助成基準を満たした696名について、助成終了基準身長に到達後も治療を継続した者の割合は、何らかの公的経済的支援（市町村小児医療費助成等）のある患者で高かった。臨床的・その他の要因について多重ロジスティック回帰分析を用いて調整しても結果は同様であった。peer review誌に投稿中である。
【妊孕性知識の啓発を通じた、特定不妊治療費助成制度の効果的運用】
2014年4月、特定不妊治療費助成制度では早期治療のインセンティブとなるような年齢要件を伴った制度改正が行われたが、我が国の人々の妊孕性知識は、先進諸国に比べて低いとの報告がある。助成制度の効果的運用には、妊孕性知識を啓発し、計画的なライフプランや早期受診を促すことが重要である。(1) 35歳から44歳までの子供のいる男女690名について、初産年齢と10年以上前からの妊孕性知識について重回帰分析で検討したところ、10年以上前から知識があった女性では初産年齢は2.3歳若かった。妊孕性知識により、自身の家族形成についてインフォームドチョイスを実践できる可能性が示唆された。（Hum Fertil誌に採択済）(2）妊孕性に関する情報とその他の情報（葉酸摂取や社会保障に関する情報）で受け手の心理的負荷に差があるか明らかにする目的で、20歳から39歳までの将来子供が欲しい男女1455名を対象に、ランダム化比較試験を実施した。妊孕性に関する情報介入群では、男女とも妊孕性知識が有意に増加した一方、不安も有意に増加していた（peer review誌に投稿中）。
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows, The University of Tokyo, 14J01591

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