Progression From Gestational Diabetes Mellitus to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among First Nations Women in Northwest Ontario: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Our aim in this study was to identify the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among First Nations women in northwest Ontario with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This work was a retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with GDM using a 50-gram oral glucose challenge test or a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2017, at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. Outcomes were assessed based on glycated hemoglobin (A1C) measurements performed between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019.

Effectiveness of an outbreak dose of mumps-containing vaccine in two First Nations communities in Northern Ontario, Canada.

Between 18 Dec 2017 and 27 June 2018, a mumps outbreak occurred in two Canadian Indigenous communities. An outbreak dose of mumps-containing vaccine was offered as part of control measures. We conducted a cohort study and survival analysis to describe the outbreak and evaluate the outbreak dose, extracting vaccination information on all community members (n = 3,135) from vaccination records.

Diabetes prevalence and demographics in 25 First Nations communities in northwest Ontario (2014-2017).

Introduction: First Nations communities are known to have high rates of diabetes. The rural First Nations communities in northwest (NW) Ontario are particularly affected. Regional studies in 1985 and 1994 found a high prevalence of diabetes.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular comorbidities in adults in First Nations communities in northwest Ontario: a retrospective observational study.

Background: The prevalence of adult chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular comorbidities in Canadian Indigenous communities is largely unknown. We conducted a study to document the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and concurrent diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia in a First Nations population in northwest Ontario.

Methods: In this observational study, we used retrospective data collected from regional electronic medical records of 16 170 adults (age ≥ 18 yr) from 26 First Nations communities in northwest Ontario from May 2014 to May 2017.

Characterizing high-frequency emergency department users in a rural northwestern Ontario hospital: a 5-year analysis of volume, frequency and acuity of visits.

Introduction: High-frequency emergency department users contribute substantially to urban emergency department workloads. The scope of this issue in rural emergency care provision is largely unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed emergency department visits at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre and associated primary care data from 2010 to 2014 for high-frequency (≥ 6 annual visits) and non-high-frequency(< 6 annual visits) emergency department users.

Maternal opioid use disorder and neonatal abstinence syndrome in northwest Ontario: a 7-year retrospective analysis.

Introduction: Opioid use in pregnancy is increasing globally. In northwest Ontario, rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) are alarmingly high. We sought to document the increasing rates of opioid exposure during pregnancy and associated cases of NAS over a 7-year period in northwest Ontario.

Epidemiologic features of invasive group A infection in a rural hospital: 6-year retrospective report and literature review.

Introduction: High rates of invasive group A disease were suspected by clinicians in northwestern Ontario. Patients with sepsis were being encountered with bacteremia positive for group A . This study was designed to assess the incidence of invasive group A Streptococcus infection in the region and provide best-practice treatment information.

Defining "high-frequency" emergency department use: Does one size fit all for urban and rural areas?

Objective: To suggest a functional definition for identification of "high-frequency" emergency department (ED) users in rural areas.

Design: Retrospective analysis of secondary data.

Setting: Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre in northwestern Ontario.

High Incidence of Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Remote Indigenous Communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.

Background: Worldwide, indigenous populations appear to be at increased risk for invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections. Although there is empirical evidence that the burden of iGAS disease is significant among remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, the epidemiology of iGAS infections in the area remains poorly characterized.

Methods: Individuals that met case definition for iGAS disease and whose laboratory specimens were processed by Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout, Canada or who were reported to Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Canada were identified for the period 2009 to 2014.

A 5 year retrospective study of emergency department use in Northwest Ontario: a measure of mental health and addictions needs.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to understand the five-year trend in total emergency department (ED) visits, frequency of use, and diagnoses and disposition of patients. Since the region has experienced a profound increase in opioid use disorder since 2009, we were particularly interested in changes in the volume of mental health and addiction (MHA) ED presentations.

Methods: Retrospective aggregate data analysis of ED visits to the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre 2010-2014.

Interlaminar epidural steroid injections for low back pain in rural Ontario.

Introduction: We sought to document the efficacy of interlaminar epidural steroid injections (ESIs) for the relief of low back pain in a rural population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study with brief follow-up telephone interviews at 1, 3 and 6 months after interlaminar ESI.

Results: A total of 47 ESIs were administered to the 24 participants.