Association of Low Back and Pelvic Pain with Mental Health Condition during Pregnancy and Postpartum

Background: Low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) as a physical symptom may cause psychological symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We examined the association of LBPP with mental health condition in women from pregnancy to puerperium in a prospective study. Methods: This study was conducted from March 2015 to December 2016 in a birth center in Kagawa Prefecture in Japan. We recruited 89 pregnant women who responded to questionnaires in all four stages (first, second and third trimesters and one week postpartum). We designed a self-administered questionnaire including a visual analog scale (VAS) of LBPP and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Results: There were significant differences in EPDS scores and VAS scores among the 4 stages. The EPDS score at the first trimester showed significant positive correlations with VAS scores at the second and third trimesters, and the EPDS score at the second trimester showed a significant positive correlation with VAS score at the third trimester. The VAS scores at the second trimester showed significant positive correlations with EPDS scores at the third trimester and at one week postpartum. Conclusion: It was shown that the mental health condition at early pregnancy was related to an increase in LBPP at mid-pregnancy and that LBPP at mid-pregnancy was associated with the mental health condition thereafter.

Differences in Male Climacteric Symptoms and Lifestyle Depending on the Duration of Working among Rotating Night Shift Workers

Background: There are various health problems in rotating shift workers. There have been few studies on the associations of male climacteric symptoms with duration of working and lifestyle. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the differences in male climacteric symptoms depending on the number of working years and to determine whether lifestyle habits differ depending on the number of working years in rotating shift workers. Methods: We collected participant’s data from the manufacturing companies in Japan during the period from March to May in 2017. We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey in 1561 male rotating night shift workers. Male climacteric symptoms were evaluated by using the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) rating scale. We analyzed 636 rotating shift workers aged over 40 years old whose all AMS data was collected. Results: A significant difference in psychological AMS score was found between men who had worked for 10 - 19 years (9.4 ± 3.9) and men who had worked for more than 40 years (7.6 ± 3.0) (p = 0.011). Sexual functional AMS score significantly differed depending on the number of working years (less than 10 years: 8.1 ± 3.9, 10 - 19 years: 9.8 ± 4.1, 20 - 29 years: 7.9 ± 3.3, 30 - 39 years: 9.3 ± 3.5, more than 40 years: 9.3 ± 3.5) (p < 0.001). The proportion of workers with a balanced meal intake was significantly lower in men who had worked for less than 10 years and the proportions of such workers were significantly higher in men who had worked for 10 - 19 years and for more than 40 years. The proportions of men who did not drink alcohol were high in men who had worked for less than 10 years and 20 - 29 years and low in men who had worked more than 30 years. Conclusion: Psychological AMS score and sexual functional AMS score are significantly different among the 5 groups according to the number of working years on rotating shift. In addition, well-balanced diet on day shift and reduction of alcohol drinking is a related-factor for long-term rotating night shift workers.

Relationships of Handgrip Strength with Menstruation-Related Symptoms in Female University Students in Japan

Introduction: Some somatic and psychological disorders have been associated with handgrip strength, which is an easy, inexpensive and noninvasive method for assessment of muscle strength. We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the relationship of handgrip strength and menstruation-related symptoms. Material and Methods: Handgrip strength was measured and a self-administered questionnaire was performed in female university students in Japan. Results: Handgrip strength did not significantly differ among the menstrual phases. The mean handgrip strength level (n = 260) was 26.0 ± 3.9 kg. We divided the subjects into three groups according to the handgrip strength level. Handgrip strength was associated with degrees of depression and anxiety during menstruation. Conclusion: This can be used as fundamental data in further clarifying the relationship between muscle strength and menstruation-related symptoms.

Transition of Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety Symptoms According to Parity and Associations of These Symptoms with Feelings for Involvement with Newborn Infants during a 6-Month Postpartum Period

Background: Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period affect physical health and child rearing and that these effects are important social issues. Objective: The aims of this study were to clarify the differences in the transition of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms according to parity during a 6-month postpartum period and to clarify the differences in associations of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms with feelings for involvement with newborn infants in primiparous and multiparous postpartum women. Methods: The design of this study was a longitudinal investigation. This study was conducted from February 2017 to July 2018 in Japan. By using self-administered questionnaires that included questions on psychological symptoms in a standard climacteric scale and questions on feelings for involvement with newborn infants, we collected data at 3 days postpartum, 2 weeks postpartum, one month postpartum, 3 months postpartum and 6 months postpartum. Results: Responses to all of the questionnaires were obtained from 121 (52.8%) of 229 women. The score for depressive symptoms in primiparous women was significantly higher than that in multiparous women at 3 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms showed peaks at 2 weeks postpartum in both primiparous women and multiparous women, but depressive symptoms reoccurred from 3 months postpartum to 6 months postpartum in primiparous women and anxiety symptoms reoccurred from one month to 3 months postpartum in multiparous women. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with mother’s sleeping time. Conclusion: Changes in depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were different in primiparous women and multiparous women during a 6-month postpartum period. In addition, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with sleeping time in postpartum women.

Views Regarding Management Skills Required Currently and in the Future for Middle Managers in Perinatal Medicine: Their Differences Depending Working Position in Advanced Midwives

Similar to any other discipline/field, management skills are important in perinatal nursing/medicine. What kinds of management skills are required/important currently and also in the future? The view for this might be different according to the present position of midwives. We here attempted to determine this;we divided study population into three (head nurses, assistant head nurses and advanced midwives). A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for 1652 advanced midwives in hospitals in Japan during 2018 and 2019. Scores in 8 items showed significant differences among the three groups. The skill with the largest difference among the three groups was the ability to participate in and provide support for social activity. Although higher levels of management skills will be required for nursing managers in the next generation, the levels differ depending on current working positions in advanced midwives.

Associations between Sensitivity to Cold, Menstruation-Related Symptoms and Handgrip Strength in Female University Students in Japan

Sensitivity to cold, which is a popular symptom in Japanese women, is associated with various symptoms such as shoulder stiffness and general fatigue. However, an association of sensitivity to cold with muscle strength has not been reported. The aim of the study was to clarify the associations of sensitivity to cold with handgrip strength and with menstruation-related symptoms in female university students in Japan. We recruited 278 female university students in Japan. Sensitivity to cold and menstruation-related symptoms including physical and psychological symptoms were assessed by using a self-administered questionnaire that we designed. Handgrip strength was measured by using a handgrip strength dynamometer. We received responses from 269 students. The prevalence rate of sensitivity to cold in the subjects was 54.3%. The students who had sensitivity to cold had a lower handgrip strength level (25.5 ± 3.8 kg) than did the students who did not have sensitivity to cold (26.7 ± 3.9 kg) (p = 0.017). Sensitivity to cold was associated with low body mass index. In addition, the students who had sensitivity to cold tended to have low back pain and constipation during menstruation. In conclusion, sensitivity to cold is an important symptom associated with muscle strength as well as menstruation-related symptoms for young women.

Possible Predictive Factors for Low Back and Pelvic Pain at Three Months Postpartum Assessed in a Prospective Study from Early Pregnancy until the Postpartum Period

Background: Low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) is an important issue related to mental health as well as to difficulty for daily life activity during early pregnancy and in the postpartum period. We examined the intensity of LBPP, difficulty for daily life activity and mental health and their associations from early pregnancy until 3 months postpartum in a prospective study. We also examined predictive factors for LBPP at 3 months postpartum. Methods: We recruited 55 pregnant women who responded to questionnaires in the first, second and third trimesters and at one week, one month and 3 months postpartum. We designed a self-administered questionnaire including a visual analog scale (VAS), pregnancy mobility index (PMI) of LBPP and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Results: There were significant differences in the proportions of women with LBPP in the first trimester (63.6%), second trimester (78.2%) and third trimester (83.6%) and at one week postpartum (80.0%), one month postpartum (69.1%) and 3 months postpartum (56.4%). VAS score at 3 months postpartum was significantly correlated with VAS scores at the first trimester (r = 0.410, p = 0.002), second trimester (r = 0.298, p = 0.027) and one month postpartum (r = 0.476, p Conclusion: The proportion of women with LBPP and the intensity of LBPP were increased at late pregnancy and gradually decreased until 3 months postpartum. LBPP at 3 months postpartum was associated with LBPP at the first trimester and a past history of LBPP in a previous pregnancy was an important factor for prediction of LBPP at 3 months postpartum. Provision of information regarding LBPP and confirmation of LBPP before pregnancy in addition to assessment of LBPP at early pregnancy are necessary for reduction of LBPP at 3 months postpartum.