Impact on the Physical Health-Status of Victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake - Focusing on Blood Pressure and Body-Mass Index (BMI)

[Abstract] [Purpose]: The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on the physical health-status of Wajima City residents utilizing blood pressure and body-mass index (BMI) values obtained through basic health screening. [Method]: Subjects were 5693 Wajima City residents who experienced the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and who underwent basic health screening in FY 2006 and 2007. Subjects were classified by gender, age, level of property damage and blood pressure. Level of property damage was classified into total destruction / near total destruction (hereinafter referred to as "total destruction"), half destruction, and less than half destruction. Blood pressure was classified into the presence of high blood pressure (defined as undergoing treatment by oral administration of medication) and the absence of high blood pressure. The blood pressure and BMI items from the basic health screening check were used to evaluate the health effects. [Results]: With regard to systolic blood pressure (systolic BP), female subjects aged 75 years or older without high blood pressure who experienced either total destruction or property damage of less than half destruction showed a significant increase, and male subjects aged 75 years or older who experienced total destruction showed a significant decrease. With regard to the BMI of subjects with high blood pressure, male subjects less than 65 years of age who experienced total destruction, male subjects between 65 and 74 years of age who experienced half destruction, male subjects aged 75 years or older who experienced total destruction or less than half destruction, female subjects between 65 and 74 years of age who experienced either total destruction or half destruction, and female subjects aged 75 years or older who experienced less than half destruction showed a significant decrease after the earthquake. According to the results of examination by multiple logistic, no factors exerted an influence on the systolic BP; however, with regard to diastolic blood pressure (diastolic BP), age and total destruction to damage less than half destruction showed a significant increase. With regard to factors influencing BMI, increasing age in both female and male subjects correlated with a significant decrease in BMI. In addition, male subjects experiencing total destruction showed a significant decrease in BMI against those who experienced less than half destruction. [Conclusion]: There was no sign