Data concerning clinical cases of pesticide poisoning/disorders were collected from members of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine during 2001-2003, and were analyzed statistically.A total of 194 cases of poisoning/disorders by pesticide exposure were reported from 36 hospitals and other medical institutions. Suicide cases accounted for 74% of the total number of cases, which was followed by the cases caused by exposure during spraying (17%) and drinking/eating by mistake (7%).In 144 suicide cases, those of males accounted for 52%, the middle-aged and older people constituted the majority. By types of clinical manifestations, almost all of the cases were acute or subacute pesticide poisoning (98%). Organophosphate insecticides were the most frequent inducers of the cases (39%), which was followed by bipyridylium herbicides (23%). When it comes to the outcome, more than 80% of suicide cases with paraquat products resulted in death.There were 39 cases of pesticide poisoning/disorders resulting from exposure during spraying, preparation or settling, and working in sprayed area. In these cases, males accounted for 70% the middle-aged and older people made up the majority. By types of clinical manifestations, the cases of acute or subacute pesticide poisoning accounted for 39%, which was followed by acute dermatitis (33%), chemical burn (14%), and ocular disorders (11%). The pesticides that induced clinical cases varied greatly. Main factors contributing to the onset of pesticide poisoning/disorders were insufficient protective clothing (44%), self conceit (19%), insufficient information (14%), and carelessness (12%).
Pesticides ; Clinical ; Poisoning aspects ; Acute ; Cases

This study examined and improved the quality of inter-professional moral case deliberation (MCD) in a home-based medical care clinic by altering the MCD process and evaluating it using the REFLECT rubric. After altering the MCD process, four of the five main evaluation items in the questionnaire were shifted to a higher evaluation level employing a scaled evaluation. The free-entry field revealed future tasks. This report suggested that improving the quality and assessment of MCD using REFLECT promotes the reflection skills of clinical teams.

We participated in TIPS-FM (Toronto International Program to Strengthen Family Medicine and Primary Care) for two weeks in Toronto in June 2019. This program enabled us to learn many important factors for developing family medicine. Based on Canadian family medicine, which has a long history, we were able to review the missions of family medicine in Japan, and gained further insight into multilayered essentials on the patient-, community-, and global-levels.

Background/Aims: Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) contribute to the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the causes of EMDs and their impact on gastroesophageal reflux disease-associated symptoms remain unknown. This study aims to elucidate clinical features associated with various types of EMDs in patients with heartburn symptoms. Methods: Of the 511 patients who underwent high-resolution manometry, 394 who were evaluated for heartburn symptoms were examined. Patients subjected to high-resolution manometry were classified into 4 groups: outflow obstruction group, hypermotility group, hypomotility group, and normal motility group. Symptoms were evaluated using 3 questionnaires. Patient characteristics and symptoms for each EMD type were compared with those of the normal motility group. Results: Of the 394 patients, 193 (48.9%) were diagnosed with EMDs, including 71 with outflow obstruction, 15 with hypermotility, and 107 with hypomotility. The mean dysphagia score was significantly higher in each of the 3 EMD groups compared with those with normal motility. The mean acid reflux and dyspepsia scores were significantly lower in the outflow obstruction group (P < 0.05). The mean body mass index and median Brinkman index were significantly higher in the hypermotility group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively), whereas the mean diarrhea and constipation scores were significantly lower in the hypomotility group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of our study indicate that different EMDs have distinct characteristics. Cigarette smoking and high body mass index were associated with esophageal hypermotility. Assessment of the dysphagia symptom scores may help identify patients with EMDs.

Background/Aims: Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) contribute to the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the causes of EMDs and their impact on gastroesophageal reflux disease-associated symptoms remain unknown. This study aims to elucidate clinical features associated with various types of EMDs in patients with heartburn symptoms. Methods: Of the 511 patients who underwent high-resolution manometry, 394 who were evaluated for heartburn symptoms were examined. Patients subjected to high-resolution manometry were classified into 4 groups: outflow obstruction group, hypermotility group, hypomotility group, and normal motility group. Symptoms were evaluated using 3 questionnaires. Patient characteristics and symptoms for each EMD type were compared with those of the normal motility group. Results: Of the 394 patients, 193 (48.9%) were diagnosed with EMDs, including 71 with outflow obstruction, 15 with hypermotility, and 107 with hypomotility. The mean dysphagia score was significantly higher in each of the 3 EMD groups compared with those with normal motility. The mean acid reflux and dyspepsia scores were significantly lower in the outflow obstruction group (P < 0.05). The mean body mass index and median Brinkman index were significantly higher in the hypermotility group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively), whereas the mean diarrhea and constipation scores were significantly lower in the hypomotility group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of our study indicate that different EMDs have distinct characteristics. Cigarette smoking and high body mass index were associated with esophageal hypermotility. Assessment of the dysphagia symptom scores may help identify patients with EMDs.